Dender's unbeaten run turns CPL promotion race into a title fight

FC Dender have turned the Challenger Pro League (CPL) promotion battle into a serious title contest, remaining unbeaten in the league since a 1‑0 loss at Sporting Hasselt and stringing together five consecutive league victories alongside a 0‑6 cup thrashing. Adam Nhaili’s recent words underline their ambition.

The club digested its relegation from the Jupiler Pro League admirably. After a false start in the Challenger Pro League, Jonathan Alves’s side began to collect wins. The momentum has not waned.

League resurgence fuels promotion push

Dender have dispatched Beerschot 2‑0, then edged RFC Liège 2‑1, followed by a 2‑0 victory over Seraing. Further wins came against Jong Gent (1‑0) and Patro Eisden (1‑0). Those five straight league triumphs have lifted the club to fifteen points from six matches.

With fifteen points Dender sit second on the table, level on points with leaders Beerschot, who also aim for direct promotion. The club highlighted the five‑game winning run before the recent cup tie.

Cup dominance and future targets

Saturday’s Croky Cup match produced a spectacular 0‑6 win on the ground of Hoogstraten. Gianni Vandeplas netted a hat‑trick, while Pjotr Kestens, Ibrahima Breugelmans and Christophe Jullien added the other goals.

After the 1‑0 league win over Patro Eisden, match‑winner Adam Nhaili declared: “We must not longer hide that we are playing for the title.” Nhaili scored the solitary goal in the 83rd minute, securing Dender’s fifth consecutive league victory.

The champion of the Challenger Pro League promotes directly to the Jupiler Pro League. Teams placed second to fifth will contest Promotion Play‑offs for the second promotion ticket.

Voor Dender the next challenge arrives on 9 October, when they host Club NXT after the international break, hoping to extend their impressive run.