Clash of the Titans: Winning debut for Nigeria’s Sor as Onuachu fires Genk past Onyedika’s Brugge

The league leaders had the full measure of the champions, edged on by their Nigerian imports

Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu and Nigerian youngster Yira Sor were on the winning side as Genk shot down Club Brugge 3-1 in a matchday 19 clash of the Jupiler Pro League.

Champions Club Brugge had stumbled severally in their bid to retain their league crown, finding themselves 12 points behind Genk ahead of kickoff.

A win at the Luminus Arena would have seen the Blue-and-Blacks close the gap on the Smurfs and hand new manager Scott Parker a great start to his tenure.

Interestingly, Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika was not named in the matchday squad for Brugge.

Still, the visitors enjoyed a brilliant opening period in Genk, with Hans Vanaken breaking the deadlock after 21 minutes.

But Carlos Cuesta dragged Genk back on levelled terms four minutes later. 

And Paul Onuachu completed the comeback for the home side as he latched on to Joseph Paintsil’s delicious cross to send a first-time effort past Simon Mignolet in the Brugge goal.

Ivorian centre-back Abakar Sylla was sent off for Club Brugge in the closing stages shortly before Bryan Heynen added a third goal for Genk.

Manager Wouter Vrancken then introduced Nigerian youngster Yira Sor in the 88th minute for his debut, the youngster having signed for Genk from Slavia Prague earlier in the week.

Sor joined in the celebrations at the final whistle as Genk took a giant step towards winning their first league title since 2019.