Pro League: Abdelkahar Kadri and KV Kortrijk relegated to Belgian second division

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Jan Breydelstadion, KV Kortrijk secured a 2-0 victory over Cercle Brugge, with goals from Nayel Mehssatou in the 11th minute and Abdelkahar Kadri converting a penalty in the 38th. However, this win was not enough to avoid relegation, as results from other matches sealed the club’s fate.

KV Kortrijk finished third out of four teams with 36 points, behind Sint-Truiden VV and Cercle Brugge KSV in the Relegation Play-offs. This demotion brings to an end a run of 17 consecutive seasons in the Belgian first division for KV Kortrijk.

KV Kortrijk, nicknamed the Kerels, endured a tough season that ultimately ended in relegation to the Challenger Pro League. After a promising start with two wins in five matches, the club’s form declined rapidly. A succession of managers—Freyr Alexandersson followed by Yves Vanderhaeghe—failed to turn things around. Between December and March, KV Kortrijk failed to register a single victory, which hastened their downfall.

Despite a challenging season for KV Kortrijk, Algerian attacking midfielder Abdelkahar Kadri stood out with his performances. Since joining the club in 2021, Kadri has scored 4 goals and provided 9 assists in 28 appearances this season. His commitment and consistency have been widely praised, making him one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

Lydiane N'Po |

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Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.