“I think I can be proud of that” – Nigerian goalscoring machine pleased to prove award-winning campaign was no fluke

For the second consecutive season, no other Nigerian in any of Europe’s major leagues is coming close to the scoring prowess of the Genk bomber

Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu is delighted to be back as KRC Genk’s leading marksman after overcoming the transfer disappointment that nearly marred his season.

Onuachu was left in a mess following a failed move to the English Premier League last summer, with West Ham and Arsenal mooted to be interested in the big striker at different points.

At the time, a move away from Belgium was deemed a matter of when as the Super Eagles striker had enjoyed a historic goalscoring campaign, netting an incredible 35 goals in 42 games. 

Onuachu’s performances also helped him win the Belgian Golden Shoe award, becoming the first Nigerian to scoop the prestigious honour. 

Disappointingly, no club managed to meet Genk’s transfer demands for Onuachu, and the 27-year-old was condemned to another year in the Belgian Pro League.

The Owerri-born striker’s frustration was evident in the early days of the 2021/22 season, but he has managed to shake it off and bounce back to top form.

Onuachu has smashed 18 goals in all competitions for Genk, with 16 of those (and three assists) coming in the Jupiler Pro League.

And the former FC Midtjylland ace is pleased with how he has been able to navigate through his dark moments to show everyone that last year was no flash in the pan.

“Of course, this transfer can still happen. That’s why it’s important that I was able to confirm this season,” Onuachu told Het Belang van Limburg, as per Walfoot.

“Even though the team didn’t reach the top 4, I scored 16 goals in 30 games.

“So I was able to get rid of that disappointment and prove that the excellent year that gave me the Golden Boot was no accident. I think I can be proud of that.”

Onuachu’s 16 league goals make him the highest-scoring Nigerian across the major European leagues.

Taiwo Awoniyi has ten Bundesliga goals for Union Berlin. Trabzonspor’s Anthony Nwakaeme also has ten in the Turkish top-flight, while Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis is on nine goals in the Premier League.