Racing Genk of Belgium striker, Paul Ebere Onuachu has stated delight with his ability to start 2021 with a hat trick for his club, even as he continued from where he left off in 2020 by helping The Blue-White begin the New Year with an away win, megaspotsarena.com reports.
Onuachu was all smiles after netting three goals that help Genk start 2021 with an emphatic 4-1 victory on the road to KAS Eupen and, although there was a hint of controversy to his efforts in the Belgian First Division A encounter on Wednesday, the Super Eagles’ rookie is basking in glee and euphoria.
The feat puts Onuachu on course to become the third Nigerian player to be crowned top scorer in the Belgian top-flight, after Tosin Dosunmu and Joseph Akpala won the accolade in the 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 season respectively.
The towering hitman has already equaled his personal single-season scoring record for league matches, after netting his 16th, 17th and 18th goals with his first hat-trick since joining Genk, thereby reenacting the same mark he first achieved for FC Midtjylland during the 2016/17 campaign in the Danish league.
That same season, the FC Ebedei of Shagamu product had his most productive season as a professional in terms of goals scored with 23 in all competitions, with even greater expectations now rolling round the lad, who has played in all but one of Genk’s league matches this season.
The 26-year-old 2019 Africa Cup of Nations bronze medalist extended his lead in the top scorer’s chart with just two short of 20, while his team closed the gap on leaders Club Brugge to a single point, after the lanky lad struck at Kehrwegstadion just before half-time and he later converted two penalties after the restart to secure maximum points.
Nine minutes after grabbing his third goal of the night, Onuachu was replaced by his compatriot and one-cap Super Eagles’ rookie, Cyril Dessers, as Genk remained unbeaten in their last three outings in the Belgian top-flight.
While Dessers has been limited to a substitute’s role, with his last start dating back to October and only four goals in 14 league appearances, Onuachu is the leading Nigerian scorer in Europe and has equalled his best goals scoring return in a single season.
Onuachu’s Genk, who have garnered 38 points after 19 matches, while David Okereke and Emmanuel Dennis’ Club Brugge lead by one point and superior goal difference, will play away to Kortrijk on Saturday and target another victory to boost their title chances.
His effort was, however, laced with controversy, as Onuachu appeared to struggle with one of his teammates over the duty of playing the penalty that got him one of his goals, following which Genk’s coach, John van den Brom scolded the Eagles’ tall striker.
The club’s gaffer confessed that he was disappointed seeing Onuachu openly disagree with Theo Boganda over who was meant to take the penalty on Wednesday night, but reasoned that they will all make up and not allow the matter fester into a dangerous situation for teamwork in the side.
Onuachu took the kick and converted it, to complete his hat-trick on the hour, but his coach told Het Laatste Nieuws: “You don’t want that as a trainer. It is happening all over the world. I think it is terrible to see and it does not suit us at all, because we have a fantastic group.
“Of course, I will sit down with Théo and Paul to get this out of the world very quickly, because eventually we have to continue. I’m not worried about it at all. It is a shame, because it lingers a bit. It pushes the beautiful victory somewhat into the background and that is not possible.”
