Racing Genk are back in contention for the Belgian First Division A title after a man-of-the-match performance from Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu helped the club to a 3-0 victory over Seraing on Sunday night.
Onuachu, who missed a spot-kick, scored all of Genk’s goals at the Cegeka Arena to confirm why he is the most prolific Nigerian forward in any of Europe’s major first divisions.
The night didn’t start on a good note for Onuachu, as he missed a penalty in the 33rd minute of play.
But the former FC Midtjylland ace quickly put that disappointment behind him and was in the right place to give the home side the lead in the 42nd minute.
Two minutes later, the Super Eagles forward struck again to double Racing’s advantage.
And the 27-year-old completed his hat-trick four minutes after the restart, displaying mental fortitude to convert from the penalty spot after his first-half miss.
It’s the fifth consecutive game that Onuachu would hit the back of the net for Genk, with Union Saint-Gilloise, Rapid Vienna (in the Europa League), Sint-Truiden, and Antwerp all at the receiving end of the tall striker’s shooting boots.
Onuachu has scored eleven goals in all competitions for KRC this term, nine of which he hit in the FDA, one in the Champions League before Genk exited the tournament and the other in the Europa League.
No other Nigerian player has found the back of the net more time than Onuachu, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen (following his effort against Cagliari), Trabzonspor Anthony Nwakaeme, and Al Shabab’s Odion Ighalo all on four goals.
The latest win lifts Genk to joint-second with Eupen and Antwerp on 17 points, one behind league leaders and reigning champions Club Brugge.