Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Zulte Waregem made it two wins from two pre-season friendlies, beating Oudenaarde 3-0 with goals from Kewan Vemba, Marley Aké and Siebe Van Keymolen.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryZulte Waregem ease past Oudenaarde 3-0 in second pre-season friendly
Zulte Waregem made it two wins from two pre-season friendlies on Friday, beating lower-division Oudenaarde 3-0 away with goals inside the first minute and before half-time effectively settling the contest by the break.
How it unfolded
Kewan Vemba opened the scoring after just 60 seconds, catching the Oudenaarde defence cold before they had settled into the game. Marley Aké doubled the lead in the 18th minute, and Zulte Waregem went into the interval 2-0 up without having been seriously tested.
Siebe Van Keymolen added a third in the 51st minute to complete the scoring. No cards were shown across the 90 minutes, underscoring the friendly nature of the contest.
The turning point
Vemba's first-minute strike. Scoring inside the opening 60 seconds forced Oudenaarde — a Belgian fourth-tier side — onto the back foot immediately and removed any prospect of the hosts parking deep to frustrate their Challenger Pro League opponents. The early goal set a tempo Zulte Waregem never relinquished.
Key performers
Kewan Vemba — his lightning opener inside the first minute set the tone. The winger was a persistent threat down the flank.
Marley Aké — doubled the lead with a composed finish in the 18th minute, giving Zulte a comfortable cushion before half-time.
Siebe Van Keymolen — the 21-year-old capped the scoring early in the second half, his third pre-season goal in two friendlies after also featuring in the 6-0 win over Racing Waregem.
By the numbers — interpreted
The 0-3 scoreline mirrors Zulte Waregem's first pre-season outing (6-0 vs Racing Waregem on 27 June), though this was a tighter affair. Three goals from three different scorers in the opening 51 minutes reflects a squad spreading minutes and finding rhythm without a single player dominating. The absence of any cards or reported injuries is a clean bill for a side still early in its build-up phase.
What it means
Zulte Waregem continue their pre-season schedule with a quick turnaround: they face KVV Zelzate on 4 July, followed by Polish side Raków Częstochowa on 8 July. Further friendlies are lined up against AZ Alkmaar, Sparta Rotterdam, and Beerschot before the Jupiler Pro League season kicks off at home to KRC Genk on 9 August at the Elindus Arena.
For Oudenaarde, who compete in the Belgian Division 2 (fourth tier), this was a useful test against far higher-grade opposition, though they remain winless in three all-time meetings with Zulte Waregem (0 wins, 16 goals conceded across those fixtures).
Verdict
A straightforward, professional workout for Zulte Waregem. The early goal removed any suspense, and the result was never in doubt. The Essevee's pre-season preparation is on track, with stiffer tests ahead against Raków Częstochowa and AZ Alkmaar that will reveal more about their readiness for the 9 August league opener.
Match Events
Key match events between Oudenaarde and Zulte Waregem — 3 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2021
Oudenaarde vs Zulte Waregem Head to Head Results· 3
Oudenaarde and Zulte Waregem have met 3 times — Oudenaarde won 0, Zulte Waregem won 3, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2021. Zulte Waregem leads the head-to-head with 3 victories from 3 meetings. A combined 16 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.33 per match (2 for the home side, 14 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 1 match (33%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 3 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Zulte Waregem are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 2–4 in 2021.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 4 Jul 2026