Best striker in Belgium? Arokodare’s form fires back at Genk coach

The words of KRC Genk's coach, Thorsten Fink, about Nigerian striker, Tolu Arokodare, has come back to haunt him after his form dipped, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 23-year-old started the season on the front foot, scoring four goals in his first four league games, and drew interest from Turkish side, Trabzonspor after his coach lavished praise on him.

“People have to realise that there is no better striker in the Belgian league. A complete attacker who is two metres tall and can run 36km/hr, you don’t find guys like that for under 10 million,” Fink stated confidently.We are not going to sell our top striker for small money, are we. He is a real strong target striker, who weighs on a defense. I also have the impression that he is fitter than last year,” the German gaffer said in quotes revealed by Voetbal News.

While Genk have claimed seven victories with Arokodare in the starting lineup, Fink's words about the Nigerian striker appear to have shot him in the foot.

The former FC Koln man's form dipped, and he increasingly came under fire after scoring two goals in the past month, with Belgian sports analyst, Stef Wijnants leading the charge.

The 60-year-old claims the former Amiens man is invisible during matches, prone to injuries, and clumsy with the ball at his feet.

Despite his impressive physique, Arokodare is surprisingly easy to push off the ball, which often leads to frustration. He often lacks the required presence and grit, making him seem simply absent for long periods of a match.

After Genk's defeat to KV Kortrijk, Wijnants cancelled Fink's words, claiming Arokodare wasn't the best striker in Belgium after he missed three big chances that day.

“Sorry Herr Fink, but Tolu is not the best striker in the Belgian competition.”

Arokodare's exclusion from Eguavoen's squad list from Nigeria's upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers is probably in the best interest of the striker, as he'll have enough time to get back to his best when club football resumes.