Durosinmi nets first Genk goal: 3 Nigerian records Super Eagles star can target in Belgium

Rafiu Durosinmi made an instant impact on his official debut for KRC Genk, scoring his first goal for the Belgian club in their opening game of the 2026-27 Belgian Pro League season, Afrik-Foot reports.

The record signing started away to SV Zulte Waregem on Sunday and opened the scoring in the 39th minute. Durosinmi used his 1.92-metre frame to rise above the defence and head Genk into a 1-0 lead.

His promising debut, however, ended in disappointment. Durosinmi was substituted in the 62nd minute after recording two shots, including one on target. Genk then lost control of the game late on as Marley Aké equalised in the 82nd minute before Serxho Ujka completed Zulte Waregem’s comeback four minutes later.

Genk left with a 2-1 defeat, but Durosinmi had already achieved the individual moment he wanted, scoring in his first league appearance for his new club. The goal also puts the 23-year-old in a strong position to chase three notable records and benchmarks set by Nigerian forwards who have made their mark at Genk.

Most goals by a Nigerian in his debut Belgian league season

Target: 14 league goals

Tolu Arokodare currently provides Durosinmi with the first major benchmark. Arokodare made Genk his home after joining the club in January 2023 and went on to become an important part of their attack. His scoring run eventually saw him finish the 2024-25 Belgian Pro League season as the competition’s top scorer with 14 league goals.

That 14-goal mark gives Durosinmi a clear target as he begins his first full league campaign in Belgium. The former Pisa SC striker has already taken one step towards it. His header against Zulte Waregem means he needs another 13 league goals to equal Arokodare’s 14-goal mark and 14 more to move beyond it.

Durosinmi also has plenty of time to build his total. Genk’s season has only just started, meaning the Nigerian has almost the entire league campaign ahead of him. His first goal could be particularly useful for his confidence. After joining Genk on a four-year contract, he now has a competitive goal to his name before the season has even settled.

The challenge will be maintaining his scoring rate when opponents become more familiar with his movement and physical style. A strong start over the next few weeks could put him on course to challenge Arokodare’s mark and establish himself as Genk’s main attacking option.

2. Reach 50 Genk goals in fewer than 78 appearances

Target: 50 goals in under 78 games

Paul Onuachu set one of the most impressive scoring standards by a Nigerian at Genk. The towering striker scored 50 goals in just 78 appearances for the Belgian club, giving him an outstanding scoring rate during his time at the Cegeka Arena.

Onuachu’s record is a much longer-term challenge for Durosinmi, but his first goal has already started the journey. To reach 50 goals before his 78th Genk appearance, Durosinmi would need to average roughly 0.64 goals per game. That is a demanding rate, especially because it would require him to score consistently across league matches and other competitions.

His route to the mark could become easier if he takes advantage of the different competitions Genk will play during the season. Every appearance gives him another opportunity to add to his total.

Durosinmi’s previous spell at FC Viktoria Plzeň showed that he can produce goals in European football. His move to Genk now gives him a bigger platform to prove that his scoring ability can translate into sustained success. His physical profile could also help. At 1.92m, he offers Genk an aerial threat, while his movement inside the penalty area gives him another way to attack defenders. The 39th-minute header against Zulte Waregem was an early example of that strength.

Reaching 50 goals in fewer than 78 appearances would require Durosinmi to stay fit, start regularly and convert a high percentage of his chances. If he can do that, Onuachu’s record becomes a realistic long-term target rather than simply a piece of Genk history.

3. Score four goals in one Belgian league game

Target: Four goals

Durosinmi can also chase one of the most eye-catching individual achievements in Genk’s history: scoring four goals in a single league match.

Onuachu achieved the feat against Sporting Charleroi in November 2022, when he scored four times in Genk’s league victory. His performance placed him alongside Wesley Sonck, another former Genk striker who had also scored four goals in one league match.

Durosinmi therefore has a simple number to chase, four goals in 90 minutes.

His debut goal against Zulte Waregem offered an early clue about how he could get there. The Nigerian did not need several touches or a long run to make his impact. He found space in the penalty area and used his height to attack the cross before directing his header into the net.

A four-goal game would require almost everything to go right: Genk would need to create a high number of chances, Durosinmi would have to stay on the pitch and his finishing would need to be clinical.

The opportunity could come in a match where Genk dominate possession and create repeated chances around the box. At 1.92m, Durosinmi can cause problems from crosses and set pieces, while his ability to finish inside the area gives him another route to goals. His first Genk goal may have come in a losing cause, but it has given him an important starting point.

The 2026-27 season has only just begun, but Durosinmi has already given Genk supporters a reason to watch his progress closely.