Nigerian Football
MAGICAL SCORER, ONUACHU SCORES AGAIN AS GENK EXTEND UNBEATEN RUN
Super Eagles scorer at Nigeria’s last two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, Paul Onuachu, was again on the score sheet as he helped Genk extend their unbeaten run in the Belgian top division.
Genk beat St. Truiden 4-0. The lanky centre-forward has been turning heads this season and against Peter Maes’ men, he increased his tally to ensure his side clinched all three points at Luminus Arena.
Onuachu was afforded his 30th league start of the season and spearheaded the Blue and White attack in the encounter.
Genk started the game impressively, dominating proceedings and deservedly got their opening goal in the 21st minute through Theo Bongonda.
The Blue and White got their second goal four minutes later when Bryan Heynen fired home a fine effort after receiving a timely assist from Junya Ito.
Kristian Thorstvedt made it three for Genk and with four minutes before half-time, St.Truiden got a glorious chance to reduce the deficit when they were awarded a penalty but Yuma Suzuki missed from the spot.
After the restart, the Blue and White continued their domination and increased their lead in the 53rd minute through Onuachu, who hit the back of the net with a sublime effort after benefitting from Kristian Thorstvedt’s assist.
The Super Eagles striker’s effort was enough to seal the Blue and White’s victory in the encounter and extend their unbeaten run to seven games.
With the win, Genk maintain second spot on the Belgian First Division A table after gathering 56 points from 33 games.
Onuachu has now scored 29 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions this season, including 27 in the Belgian top-flight.
The attacker’s impressive goal scoring performances helped him to return to the Nigeria national team when they played the Republic of Benin and Lesotho in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and he scored in each of the outings.
Onuachu will hope to continue his eye-catching performances when Genk take on Royal Antwerp in their next league game on April 18.
The forward has been with the Luminus Arena outfit since the summer of 2019 when he joined the side from Danish club FC Midtjylland.
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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