“This was one of my best” – Record-making Super Eagles prospect credits coach for stunning full debut goal

The Nigerian youngster savoured a full home debut to remember as his brilliant solo goal powered the Smurfs to the maximum points at the weekend

New KRC Genk striker Yira Collins Sor has applauded club manager Wouter Vrancken for giving him the confidence he needed to be the match-winner on his home debut in the 1-0 triumph over Zulte Waregem.

Yira Sor only joined Genk from Slavia Prague on the first of January for €6.50 million after inking a four-and-a-year deal that will keep him with the Belgians until June 2027.

And after Sor made two substitute roles in Genk’s league win at home to Club Brugge and the cup loss to Antwerp, manager Wouter Vrancken handed the 22-year-old his full debut on Saturday against Zulte Waregem.

And the former Banik Ostrava ace needed only ten minutes to showcase his elite quality to the thousands of Genk fans inside the Gegeka Arena.

Sor trapped a long pass forward with a deft close control on the right flank. The Lagos-born attacker then dashed toward the penalty box and danced past two Waregem defenders before unleashing a fearsome strike with his weaker left foot.

The goalkeeper stood no chance as the ball cracked in off the crossbar, giving Genk the lead.

It is a brilliant goal that lifts Sor into the record books as the fastest Genk player to score on his Jupiler Pro League starting debut since Opta started collecting such data in 2008.

Even more importantly, it was the goal that handed Genk all three points and sent the league leaders seven points clear of second place Union Saint-Gilloise.

What has been said?

And Sor has revealed that a pre-match pep-talk from manager Wouter Vrancken gave him the needed guts to score one of the better goals of his career.

“The coach told me before the match that I shouldn’t have any doubts,” Sor said, as per VoetbalKrant.

“Just play relaxed and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I had to play football on instinct and I think I succeeded. I rarely score with the left, but this was one of my best goals.”

In 26 games across all competitions for Slavia Prague, Yira Sor registered nine goals and three assists.