Arokodare Strikes in Tough Belgian Cup Semifinal Defeat

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Tolu Arokodare’s impressive scoring form continued as the Nigerian striker netted Genk’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to Club Brugge during the Belgian Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

The towering 6’5″ forward marked his 15th goal of the season and his second in the competition, underlining what has been a stellar campaign for the 24-year-old.

The game was a highly anticipated showdown between two Belgian heavyweights. Club Brugge, the country’s most successful team in terms of titles, faced Genk, who sought to upset the odds.

Both sides featured Nigerian talents, with Arokodare leading the line for Genk and Raphael Onyedika holding fort in Brugge’s defence.

Genk started the match on the front foot, piling pressure on Brugge’s backline. Their efforts paid off in the 28th minute when Arokodare latched onto a perfectly delivered cross from the right and finished with precision, giving the Smurfs a deserved lead.

But Brugge, ever resilient, responded swiftly. Six minutes later, Joel Ordonez rose highest to meet a corner kick, nodding home the equalizer and restoring parity at 1-1. The first half ended with both teams evenly matched.

In the second half, the momentum shifted, and Brugge found their breakthrough in the 74th minute. Greek forward Christos Tzolis converted from the penalty spot, sealing a 2-1 victory for the home side.

Arokodare’s Performance

Arokodare was one of Genk’s standout performers, playing 75 minutes before being substituted for Oh Hyeon-gyu. During his time on the pitch, he managed 34 touches and took one shot on target which he converted into a goal.

The Nigerian striker also completed 14 of his 19 passes, a commendable contribution considering Genk’s overall struggles on the night.

What’s Next?

Genk now faces an uphill task as they prepare for the second leg of the semifinal on home soil. With Arokodare in fine form, they’ll hope to overturn the deficit and book their place in the Belgian Cup final.

For Arokodare, his consistency in front of goal continues to make him a key figure for Genk and attracts the attention of top European clubs.