End of the 2025-2026 season. Start of the 2026-2027 season. Tim Borguet looks back on a strong season for Neerpede and provides further insight into the academy’s ambitions. “The best players are choosing Neerpede more than ever. Several strong generations are emerging.”
The Futures fielded mostly players from their own academy and, as by far the youngest U23 team, successfully secured their place in 1B (average age 19.2 years, record 17.3 years against RWDM). “The core mission of our youth academy is the development and progression of young players to the first team. 1B is a platform that is fundamentally designed to accelerate the development of young talents. Beyond ensuring survival in the league, the individual progression of players such as De Ridder, Van de Ven (2008), Nga Kana, Onia Seke, Ojea, Seghers (2009), Mujangi Bia, Ede Eriyo (2010) and many others is the main benchmark of the past season. That is the result of a complementary U23 staff.”
Several promising generations are emerging. “It will be important to follow the development of the standout performers in Amsterdam and of the players who signed their first professional contract. An impressive 100% of the players (and families) of the strong 2011 generation chose the Neerpede project with conviction. This is a recognition of, and compliment to, the sporting and educational work. Furthermore, we must also congratulate scouting for the selective recruitment of several talents. This targeted quality injection creates more balance within the squads and should enable us, across age categories, to remain competitive both nationally and on international stages.”
A new season also comes with clear expectations: “It has been almost a decade since more than two youth teams were crowned champions. It was also the last time we competed in the Youth League. Neerpede has the obligation, by its status and culture, to pursue both objectives. I am convinced that we are, on and off the pitch, better positioned than ever to achieve this ambition.”
Season 2025-2026 highlights:
- First team debuts: Nga Kana, De Ridder, Mujangi Bia
- U23 stays in 1B with the youngest squad of the league
- U21 Premier League Cup results vs Manchester United, Leeds, Sunderland
- U17 Amsterdam Future Cup winners vs Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lyon
- U17: 7 Neerpede players selected for European Championship squad
- U16 Robinstijn Charity Tournament winners vs Ajax, Lille OSC
- U15, U14, U13: top 3 finishes
- U17-U13: 18 international tournaments - 4 wins, 10 (semi-)finals, 6 player-of-the-tournament awards
- U12-U10: 49 international tournaments - 6 wins, 25 (semi-)finals
- U9-U8: 66 international tournaments - 30 wins, 55 (semi-)finals
Coaching structure for the 2026–2027 season:
The coaching structure for the new season is a balanced mix of former professionals and promising coaches who embody the club’s values. Together they hold 3 Pro Licence diplomas and 6 UEFA A diplomas. The U18-U13 coaches are led by 11v11 coordinator Roel Clement. Former RSCA champion Guillaume Gillet and Neerpede alumnus Andi Koshi are re-integrated into the academy. Silvio Proto continues to lead the goalkeeping department and Bram Keppens in the analysis department.
- U18: Patrick Dimbala and Arnaud Djoum
- U16: Guillaume Gillet and Loick Fogel
- U15: Stéphane Stassin and Andi Koshi
- U14: Simon Hanssens and Robbe Witpas
- U13: Bernd Van Den Borre and Soufiane Akichouch
In the lower age groups, U12-U8 coaches are led by coordinators Stijn De Bosscher (5v5) and Tim Scheers (8v8).
- U12-U11-U10: Dries Deconinck and Sebastien Munoz
- U12: Christian Van Hoeylandt and Arne Van Campenhout
- U11: Mehdi Mouelhi and Amine Tauil
- U10: Tom Vereecken and Thierry Kalungwe
- U9-U8-U7: Silvio Di Mattia
- U9: Amine M’rabet and Christian Nkonga
- U8: Maxime Baetens and Adam Bensalah
