In It To Win It: Genk Hero Paul Onuachu Targets Second Cup Triumph Of Career

The Nigerian forward inspired his club to a vital semifinal victory over their bitter rivals on Sunday, and he has resharpened his focus for the Cup final

Paul Onuachu was the hero as ten-man Genk brushed aside fierce foe Anderlecht 2-1 at the Lotto Park to book their place in the final of the 2021 Belgian Cup.

The manner of the victory over Vincent Kompany’s men especially delighted Onuachu, with Genk having suffered two league defeats this campaign against their opponents.

Anderlecht secured a 1-0 home win over the Blue-Whites last year before completing the double with a 1-2 victory at the Luminus Arena in February.

A third consecutive defeat would have damaged Genk’s Cup dream, and Onuachu had vowed to help his side maintain their run in the tournament.

True to his word, the Super Eagles striker opened the scoring after just 17 minutes of the clash for his 27th goal of an incredible season.

The 26-year-old then forced Matt Miazga to push the ball through his own net for Genk’s second on the hour mark.

But Racing’s Jhon Lucumi was shown a straight red card midway through the second half, and Adrien Trebel reduced the deficit moments later to leave the tie delicately poised during the last quarter of an hour.

John van den Brom’s men, however, held on bravely to their slim lead to book a final date against Standard Liege to the delight of Onuachu.

“I said we had played our worst games against Anderlecht and that there could not be a third time,” Onuachu told the media, as per Walfoot. 

“We put the action to the word. The team showed a lot of character. Everyone has given 120%.

The final next month would be Genk’s sixth in history but Onuachu’s first in Racing’s colours.

The Nigerian striker won the Danish Cup with Midtjylland in 2019 and is already looking forward to claiming a major honour in Belgium, one of the goals he set for himself when signing for Genk. 

“In the final, there is only one thing that matters, and that is to win.

“When I arrived, the Cup was one of my goals. We are 90 minutes away from achieving it,” the 201cm tall forward concluded.