Despite now being teammates at Watford, Stefano Okaka and Christian Kabasele aren’t exactly the best of friends.
Back in May, the centre-back managed to get the then Anderlecht striker sent off after only nine minutes when a tussle in the box ended up with Kabasele rolling around on the floor clutching his head.
Okaka was then immediately sent off by the referee and Genk went on to win the game 5-2.
A few months later, Kabasele signed for Watford, with the Italian international following him to Vicarage Road towards the end of August.
Speaking to Sport/Foot Magazine, Kabasele recalled the first time they met after the realised they would have to be teammates.
He said: “We both pulled a face that said a lot. We shook hands like strangers when we knew full well what had happened the last time we met. It was funny…”
Kabasele explained Okaka had a reputation for ‘going down too easily’ in Belgium, something he shouldn’t do in the Premier League because fans and referees will hold it against you.
About that particular incident, he said: “I knew what I needed to do to get to him. He doesn’t like feeling an opponent’s breath on his neck. I didn’t play against him like I did Laurent Depoitre.”
Now, however, the two have (sort of) patched things up, mostly because they have both started to get to know each other more.
Kabasele explained: “When he was at Anderlecht, he wasn’t my favourite player. Now, I’m discovering another side to him. Before, I only knew the player. Now, I’m finding out about the man, and I can say he’s pretty cool.
“He’s nice and affable, he likes to get involved in discussions, even when he wasn’t part of it in the first place. I wouldn’t say he’s a friend, but I appreciate his company.”
What’s the saying? Never judge a player by his diving antics?
No, that can’t be right.
Ah well, you get the gist.
