For most leagues, consistency is the key to success, with usually those who are the most consistent over the course of a full season winning trophies and getting promoted. In the Belgian second tier, this is not the case. Split into two phases, a side only needs to win one of these phases to qualify for the promotion playoff. For KVC Westerlo, over the course of both phases, they were by far the most consistent side, winning the most combined points. However, they finished third during the first phase and second during the next phase, meaning they did not get the chance at promotion.
One of the keys to Westerlo’s success this season was the performances of South African winger Kurt Abrahams. The small 23-year-old has grown season on season, and this year looks to have really emerged as a player capable of playing at a higher level. Abrahams will look to emulate fellow countryman Percy Tau, who looks set to return to EPL side Brighton and Hove Albion following his Belgian Pro League triumph and UEFA Champions League appearances with Club Brugge.
This tactical analysis, in the form of a scout report, will highlight the strengths of the young South Africans game. The analysis will look at the strengths of Abrahams at both ends of the pitch, as well as assessing his readiness to move up a level.
An eye for goal
Abrahams was in sensational form in front of goal this season, scoring nine league goals with an average of 0.35 per 90, which was also above his 7.53 xG. This was in part due to his desire to get shots off in the right areas. With 70 shots in total this season, Abrahams took only two shots less than league top scorer Thomas Henry of OH Leuven. Abrahams averaged 2.69 shots per 90 with a respectable 0.11 xG per shot.
As we see from the graph below, all but one of Abrahams goals came from inside the penalty area. For a wide man, his 23.5% goal conversion ratio inside the area is impressive, as well as his 50% shots on target when in the same area. Abrahams averaged 3.04 touches in the penalty area per 90, which, if we consider his average shots per 90, would suggest that the majority of these touches resulted in a shot on goal.
What helps Abrahams is his footballing intelligence and ability to use both feet. He is comfortable finishing with either foot and, while being a winger, possesses great positional sense that many a striker would envy. As we shall see from the below image, he reads the game well and ensures he is in the right position to finish off attacking moves.
In the game against SV Roeselare, we see Abrahams circled here on the edge of the box on the right-hand side. He appears to be the obvious option to receive the ball from the midfielder. He could also look to run in behind and hope for a perfectly timed ball. This is how he fits into their tactics.
