Toubabo Jarju’s goal not enough as Mons downed

Cercle Brugge booked a meeting with AA Gent for the final Europa League spot from Belgium’s First Division by defeating RAEC Mons 3-2 of Mustapha “Toubabo” Jarju and Ibou Sawaneh on Monday.

Cercle took a 1-0 aggregate lead into the clash at Jan Breydelstadion after winning the first leg at Mons. But the hosts had their advantage eradicated by Toubabo Jarju’s 20th-minute opener.

Despite their bright start, Mons found themselves trailing the tie again when Lukas van Eeno levelled on 54 minutes. Van Eeno turned provider 20 minutes later, setting up Gregory Mertens to give Cercle the lead for the first time in the match and a commanding 3-1 aggregate advantage.

Honour Gombami put the tie beyond reach in the 85th minute, rendering Dylan de Belder’s injury-time strike for Mons a mere consolation.

Toubabo Jarju played the full game and his strike was his third in 12 appearances after rejoining Mons from MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps. Ibou Sawaneh saw only 20 minutes of play after coming in as a second half substitute.

Meanwhile in Estonia, Yankuba “Mal” Ceesay’s JK Nõmme Kalju made a short work of JK Sillamäe Kalev as they were 3-0 up within 20 minutes, goals from Hidetoshi Wakui, Tanel Melts and Tarmo Neemelo.

Sillamäe contributed to their own downfall through poor defending and giving the ball away - Neemelo scored his second on 55 minutes and Kristen Viikmäe wrapped up the rout on 77 minutes.