Super Eagles striker bags brace in Spain

The Nigeria international provided two decisive moments to lead the Smurfs to a friendly win on Saturday afternoon

Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu made all the difference as KRC Genk came from behind to defeat Spanish top-division club Elche 3-2 in a club friendly on Saturday.

With the Belgian championship on a midseason break due to the FIFA World Cup, Genk have been camping in Benidorm, Spain, in preparation for the second half of the campaign.

The Smurfs’ last friendly was a 3-1 triumph over Dutch side Heerenveen four days ago but Elche was expected to offer stiffer competition.

And the Spaniards did not disappoint, needing only 16 minutes before taking the lead through Ezequiel Ponce.

Angelo Preciado equalised for Genk a few minutes later but Pere Milla restored Elche’s advantage shortly after the halftime break.

That was the cue for the Paul Onuachu show to begin though.

The Super Eagles forward smashed home Genk’s second equaliser in the 76th minute and the former FC Midtjylland ace netted the winning goal three minutes from time.

Onuachu has shown that the World Cup break has taken nothing away from his excellent form this season.

The 28-year-old striker has 13 goals in 14 league games for Genk to inspire the side to the top of the Jupiler Pro League.

The Nigerian forward scored five of those goals in his last two competitive games for Genk – four in the 4-1 thumping of Sporting Charleroi and a late effort in the 2-0 victory over rivals Anderlecht.

Genk’s next match is their last official friendly in December against Ligue 1 club Metz on November 13.

Onuachu and teammates will thereafter play host to Anderlecht when the Belgian league schedule returns on December 21.