Rafiu Durosinmi continued his strong start to the season for K.R.C. Genk with a goal in the 4-0 victory over Beveren. The 23-year-old Nigerian international converted a penalty in the ninth minute on Friday and now has four goals in four league appearances.
Genk currently sits fourth in the Jupiler Pro League with seven points from four games, just two points behind leaders Club Brugge. The team has scored twelve goals and conceded eight. The next challenge is an away match against Anderlecht on September 6th, as listed on our fixtures page.
How does Durosinmi fit the Genk tradition?
Rafiu Durosinmi's fast start at Genk brings to mind previous Nigerian strikers who found success at the club. He was signed in the off-season to replace Hyun-Gyu Oh, who left for Beşiktaş in February. Durosinmi arrived from Italian side Pisa, where he scored once in twelve games. Before that, he played for Viktoria Plzeň, netting thirteen goals in thirty matches.
Comparisons with Paul Onuachu and Tolu Arokodare come quickly. Onuachu, who later moved to Southampton, scored 85 times in 134 games for Genk and holds the record for most goals in a single season with 33 in 38 matches. Arokodare, now at Wolves, scored 41 goals in 113 appearances. Durosinmi's current rate of a goal per game approaches that level.
What did the striker say about his start?
Rafiu Durosinmi expressed his satisfaction after the match. "I feel very good, and above all I am very happy. This is a good start," the forward said, according to Punch Sports. He also stressed the team's role. "The team helped me score. We have a lot of quality in the team, and if you have a good group it becomes easier to play."
His immediate impact is important for a Genk side that were champions last season and are again chasing the title. The club is currently in the upper reaches of the table, and Durosinmi's goals are a key factor in their position in the standings.
What does this mean for the rest of the season?
With four goals in four games, Durosinmi has immediately established himself as a key figure in the attack. His ability to convert penalties adds a reliable scoring source. The coming weeks will be telling, with a significant away fixture against tenth-placed Anderlecht.
The striker's performances come at a good time. Genk needs to close the two-point gap to Club Brugge. The team shows a W-D-W-L form in its last four matches and must find consistency. The squad's statistics, including Durosinmi's contribution, can be followed on our stats page. His integration into the team appears successful so far, offering hope for the title race.
