BILL Antonio's stock continues to rise in the Belgium top flight league after he scored a goal in KV Mechelen's 2-2 draw against a star-studded Anderlecht team, boasting of world class players such as former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen.
Following his impressive display as a second half substitute against RWD Molenbeek last week, the former Dynamos ace was handed his first ever start by coach Besnik Has, and he repaid the faith by cancelling out Anderlecht's early goal.
Former Borrusia Dortmund and Chelsea winger Thorgan Hazard had given Anderlecht an 8th minute lead before Antonio netted a beauty to bring his side level on the 53rd minute.
The speedy winger received a pass wide on the right and accelerated past a defender before angling his shot past Schmeichel into the right bottom corner.
It was his second goal for the club in his seven league appearances after netting an 83rd minute winning goal in the 2-1 victory over giants Gent a fortnight ago.
Luis Vázquez restored Anderlecht's lead with 12 minutes remaining, but Geoffry Hairemans' converted penalty on 90th minute ensured a share of spoils.
The Warriors star was rated second best player at 7.5 (out of 10) in the match, overshadowing the likes of Hazard and Anderlecht's 26-year-old Danish sensation Kasper Dolberg who has previously starred for Laliga giants Sevilla and Ajax in the Eredivisie. Hairemans received the highest rating of 8.3 and with it the Man of the Match award for his role in providing the assist for Antonio's goal and converting the late penalty.
The former DeMbare man will be looking to retain his place in Mechelen's starting XI when the team, enjoying a five match unbeaten run, travel to former Knowledge Musona's team AS Eupen tomorrow.
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A video of Antonio's fabulous goal was trending on social media yesterday, with Warriors fans clamouring for the 21-year old to be recalled into the Warriors squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa in June.
“We want him for the June World Cup qualifiers,” wrote Pardon Mavayi on Facebook.
Another Facebook user Prosper Jambwa wrote: “Great goal. May his star continue to shine,” while Benson Bhunu said: “You will be shocked to see such talent being overlooked in the Warriors squad.”
Antonio was not called for the Warriors opening two World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria late last year because he was not getting any game time with Mechelen's first team.
He moved to Mechelen from Dynamos two years ago and spent last season playing for the club's developmental side, where he made some impressive displays to earn himself a place in the senior team this term.
His good showing, playing in one of the best leagues in Europe, is excellent news for the Warriors who surely need such a utility player in its ranks.
A lot of football pundits also feel that the midfielder is now ready and ripe to be a full and key member of the Warriors squad.
Antonio has one cap for the senior national team.
He made his international debut as an 18-year-old in a 1-0 Fifa World Cup qualification loss to South Africa on November 11, 2021 in Johannesburg, coming on as a late substitute for Khama Billiat.
