For N.E.C. the season can't get any worse. The Nijmegen side promoted from the Jupiler League to the Eredivisie last season as the record champion and, against all odds, are competing not against relegation but for European football. With fifth place and only three points less than number three Heracles Almelo, a sensational comeback beckons.
Best since NAC Breda
Architect of N.E.C.'s good series is an old acquaintance: Ernest Faber. The coach who last season, as Phillip Cocu's assistant, was still part of the technical staff of PSV that captured the national title, put in a top performance with N.E.C. during his first official coaching job in the Eredivisie. The Nijmegen side gives away few chances and is virtually unbeatable, especially at home. Only Ajax and AZ won at De Goffert. Partly that makes N.E.C. the best promoter since NAC Breda in the 1993-1994 season.
Anthony Limbombe
One of N.E.C.'s most notable players is Anthony Limbombe. When the Belgian was six years old, he started playing football at KV Mechelen. After about five years, the striker exchanged the youth academy in his hometown for that of KRC Genk. There he progressed through the highest youth teams and made his debut in the main squad at the age of sixteen. In total, Limbombe would play three and a half seasons with the triple champion of Belgium. However, he would not surpass the 24 duels in his second season. In January 2014, he was loaned to Lierse SK before signing a contract in Nijmegen in the summer of the same year. With 14 goals in 33 games, Limbombe had a large share in the championship in the Jupiler League. This season the tally stands at six goals.
PSV must guard against Anthony Limbombe's speed | © Pics United