Nigeria and Genk striker, Tolu Emmanuel Arokodare, was on target as his side’s inspired second-half performance helped them overturn a two-goal deficit against Raphael Onyedika’s Club Brugge, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Blauw-Wit drew their League opening game against Standard Liege before losing the following game to OH Leuven and were in dire need of a positive turn as they headed into the game against KRC Genk.
In the 60th minute, things were looking promising for Onyedika’s Club Brugge as they were two goals up, and were almost assured of their first win of the season, courtesy of a brace from Danish winger, Andrea Skov Olsen.
A handball in the penalty area by Brandon Mechele gave the home side a chance at redemption as Jarne Steuckers sent his spot kick to the bottom left corner, pulling one back in the 68th minute.
With seven minutes left on the clock, Steuckers was involved again as his cross was met by the Nigerian Arokodare who headed home from close range to pull Genk level, scoring his second of the season.
The winner came in additional time. Slovakian midfielder, Patrik Hrosovsky, put his boots through the ball from outside the Brugge box, sending it into the top right corner of Simon Mignolet’s goal, sending the crowd at Cegeka Arena wild.
Dit is Genk 💪#mijnploeg #krcgenk pic.twitter.com/JmuQYev33q
— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) August 11, 2024
“We played against a well-organized team. In the first half we played well, but we had to score a goal. In the second half, we immediately met the 0-2, but I am proud of how we got back into the game. The quadruple change made the difference. We completely turned the game around. Today the team showed everything you need in football. Faith, even in difficult times. That led to victory. Next week we will have a completely different game and we have to be there again,” Genk boss, Thorsten Fink told the club’s official website after his side’s late winner.
Arokodare has been linked with a move to Trabzonspor after the Turkish side failed in their attempts to sign Onuachu permanently, but Fink has chosen to trust the Nigerian and ward off offers for the 23-year-old.
“It is difficult to find someone better than Tolu Arokodare in the league, we trust him and have high expectations. It would not be right to sell him unless a very high offer comes to him or he does not want to leave,” the German manager concluded.
Next week, Genk travel to Olympisch Stadion to face Beerschot as they look to build on their win today.