BILL Antonio celebrated a contract extension with KV Mechelen in style by scoring a goal in his side’s thumping 3-0 home victory over Kortrijk in a league match on Saturday night.
The Warriors star, who signed a three-year contract extension on Friday, opened the scoring for the Belgian side in the 31st minute when he rounded off the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net after the lighting fast winger was cleverly put through on goal.
Two further goals late in the game ensured a comfortable victory for Mechelen who also had Antonio’s fellow Warriors’ teammate Munashe Garan’anga in the starting lineup.
The win moved the club to within three points from the championship round play-offs.
Teams that finish in the top six in the Belgium premier league participate in the championship round play-offs to decide the league winner.
Michelen, unbeaten in their last eight matches, currently occupies eighth position on the log standings with three rounds of matches left in the first phase of the league programme.
The club’s form has coincidentally improved significantly since Antonio was promoted into the senior team.
In the 11 matches since Antonio made his first team debut, Mechelen has lost once in which the Warriors star did not feature.
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The former Dynamos player has scored three goals for his club, and Saturday’s effort came just a day after he extended his stay at the club.
Mechelen announced on Friday that the Dzivarasekwa-born star had extended his tenure until 2027 with an option for an extra year.
“The 21-year-old wing attacker has been convincing within the first team in recent weeks and is thus rewarded for his hard work,” the club announced.
Antonio said he is enjoying his time at Mechelen.
“I had to adapt to football here,” Antonio said. “But I just kept working hard. I feel great with the club, my teammates and the supporters. My goal is to help the team move forward. It’s great that I can continue to do that within the club’s system in the coming years.”
Club sporting director Tim Matthys said they are thrilled with Antonio's progress since joining from Dynamos two years ago. “Bill has developed fantastically and is now showing what we had in mind for him. We can only be happy about that, and we want to reward him for that.”
