Super Eagles Watch: Onuachu maintains goalscoring charts lead
Paul Onuachu scored KRC Genk’s second goal in the 3-1 home win over Club Brugge in a Jupiler Pro League matchday 19 tie at Luminous Arena on Sunday.
Onuachu started 2023 on a winning note and topped the icing on the cake with a beautiful goal off a Joseph Paintsil assist, taking his league tally to 14 goals in 16 appearances.
The Nigeria international made an instant impact from the blast of the whistle, winning two freekicks for his side and mounting pressure on the visitors.
However, the home side conceded against the run of play on the 21st minute through Hans Vanaken’s strike. Brugge’s lead, though, lasted for only four minutes as Carlos Cuesta drew level for Onuachu’s Genk via a header, off Joseph Paintsil’s corner.
Onuachu had a chance to put his side on the lead 11 minutes before half-time, only for Simon Mignolet to dive to the bottom right corner to save his right-footed shot.
The Smurfs began the second period with more attacking intent, pressing their opponents until Onuachu got the breakthrough, seven minutes after the hour-mark. The clinical striker cut onto his right foot after receiving a beautiful pass from Joseph Painsil, before finding the bottom corner from close range.
Andreas Skov nearly equalised for the visitors five minutes later, but Genk’s shot-stopper, Maarten Vandervoort did well to keep out his vicious attempt.
Onuachu nearly turned provider on 73 minutes as he set up Mike Tresor, but the winger skied his effort.
Two minutes later, Scott Parker’s men were reduced to nine outfield players as defender Abakar Syllla got branded a second yellow card, giving the home side a numerical advantage.
Genk scored the third of the day in the 81st minute through Bryan Heynen, to put the game beyond Brugge’s reach, as Vrancken’s men held on to record a 16th win of the season.
Onuachu’s Genk remain atop the Jupiler Pro League log with 49 points, seven points ahead of second-placed Royal Union Saint Gilloise
Onuachu leads the goals chart, despite missing three games at the beginning of the season due to injury.
The former Midtjyllland forward holds the record for the most goals in a single season in Belgium with 35 goals in 41 games – a record he set two seasons ago.