No Onuachu no problem: Tolu Arokodare scores on debut as Genk beat Gent

Genk’s winter signing Tolu Arokodare scored on his debut as Belgian Pro League leaders Genk beat Gent 3-2 away from home. The striker, who came on in the 65th minute, scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute after a quick Genk counter attack. The 22-year-old Nigerian forward joined the league leaders from Amiens on deadline day as a replacement for Paul Onuachu. The latter had scored 16 league goals in 19 games this season and led the league.

Genk had gone 1-0 down after Hugo Cuypers and Hyun-Seok Hong combined for the opening goal inside 10 minutes. However, in the 23rd minute Joseph Paintsil did well to beat Paul Nardi to the ball and coolly fire home for his 10th of the season. Genk’s turn around was complete in the 67th minute when Mike Tresor’s cross was powerful headed home by another Nigerian winter signing Yira Sor. This was the former Slavia Prague mans second goal since moving.

After Arokodare made it 3-1, Gent immediately responded through Laurent Depoitre. However, the hosts were unable to force an equaliser and are now level with Standard Liege in 5th place and three points behind Club Brugge in the race for play-off one.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson

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