RFC Liège lose five internationals ahead of crucial cup tie

RFC Liège have seen five of their squad members answer senior and youth national team calls, meaning the club will be without them for the Belgian Cup tie against Wellen on Sunday at 16:00. The departures include Nacim Dendani (Tunisia U23), Arnold Qevani (Luxembourg U21), Adham Refai (Egypt U20), Ousmane Camara (Burkina Faso U23) and Ryan Ogam, who joins Kenya’s senior side.

Impact on the cup match

The club announced the loss with pride, stating, “For the first time in a long while, RFC Liège sees several of its players leave with their national team!” but warned that the Sang et Marine will have to cope without the five men in the upcoming fixture. The match against second‑division side KVK Wellen offers a place in the round of 16, a step that could pit the Liégeois against a Jupiler Pro League team.

RFC Liège were eliminated at the same stage last season, falling 0‑1 to Sporting Charleroi after a late goal ended the supporters’ hopes. A tifo reading “35 years later, let’s rewrite history” had underscored the ambition of the fanbase.

Looking ahead

Club officials remain optimistic, noting that a victory could see the amateur side sharing a draw with top‑flight clubs, a scenario they describe as “wonderful”. The team will therefore need to finish off Wellen to keep their cup run alive, despite the international absences.

With the five internationals now on duty, the remaining squad must step up to preserve the club’s objectives for the season, chiefly securing progression to the round of 16 and possibly challenging a professional side later on.