Alhassan Yusuf and Antwerp are flying again in Belgium this season, but the midfielder said the club ought to have been champions of Belgium last term.
“I don’t think we finished in a correct place last season. We could have done better than fourth place,” he told GvA.
“We could even have won the title with that team.”
Alhassan said last season’s disappointment is the more reason Antwerp have to go all the way in the current campaign.
“Now our team is even stronger. There is more quality and the competition between the players has increased in every position.
“The mentality is also different. We fight for everything. This season we really have to do better.
“You always have to go for the title, otherwise it makes no sense to get on the pitch.”
The former FC Hearts star has also enjoyed his role as a box-to-box midfielder under new Dutch coach Mark van Bommel.
“Whether during the game or during training, Pieter (Gerkens, ed.) is almost always next to me. The more you play together, the better you understand each other and the better you become as a pair and bring balance in the team,” he explained his role.
“If Pieter is upfront, I stay back. If I press a little higher, he will stay a little closer to the defence.”
Antwerp beat Sint Truiden Friday night to move five points clear at the top of the table after they won their first nine matches of the season.
