Rafiu Durosinmi: 2 ways Genk’s new striking partnership could affect Super Eagles star

Super Eagles striker Rafiu Durosinmi has had a strong start at KRC Genk, but that form could face a new test after Aaron Bibout’s impressive performances raised the possibility of a two-man attack, and competition for playing time.

The 23-year-old has gotten his goalscoring boots on since arriving Belgium from Italy, scoring seven goals in ten games.

However, Durosinmi failed to score last time out in Genk’s 2-1 win over Standard Liege on Sunday despite playing 86 minutes.

Bibout came off the bench in the 70th minute before finding the back of the net seven minutes later, his third league goal of the campaign, playing alongside Durosinmi for almost 15 minutes before the Nigerian was withdrawn.

Bibout’s aerial strength and presence in the final third have made him an important option for Genk, giving coach Jess Thorup another attacking decision to consider.

Former Genk striker Jelle Vossen has discussed the possibility of pairing the two forwards.

The 37-year-old, who scored 105 goals in 248 games for Genk, believes the combination could give Thorup’s side a different shape that would make it harder for opponents to defend against, although it would depend on how the team approaches each match.

Here are two ways the emerging partnership could affect Durosinmi.

2 ways Genk’s new partnership could affect Rafiu Durosinmi

1. Bibout could challenge Durosinmi for a starting place

Durosinmi has enjoyed a productive start to life at Genk, especially when the Pisa picture is considered, but Bibout’s performances have made it difficult for Thorup to ignore the young striker.

The 22-year-old Cameroonian has scored three goals as a substitute this season, helping Genk collect seven points through his contributions.

Thorup has also acknowledged that the two forwards can play together, although Durosinmi has been preferred to lead the attack.

“Actually, Bibout deserves more minutes, he’s been proving himself at training” the Genk coach said in quotes revealed by VoetbalNieuws.

The Cameroon striker, meanwhile, has made no secret of his desire to challenge for a starting position.

“I try to take the opportunities I get, but I certainly don’t like being on the bench most of the time,” he said.

“I can accept that Rafiu is preferred, though. But I want to compete with him. I’m patient, and why couldn’t we play together more often?”

For Durosinmi, the situation creates a new challenge. His goals have established him as Genk’s striker and rebuilt his confidence after a bad spell at Pisa.

Now, he has another young player breathing down his neck, and that pressure might either push him to score more goals, or cause him to fidget when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net.

However, competition does not necessarily mean one striker must lose out. If Thorup regularly deploys both players, Genk could find a way to maximise their complementary strengths, although it is highly unlikely as they have very similar profiles.

2. The partnership could create more opportunities for Durosinmi

Vossen believes the two forwards could be effective when Genk dominate possession and push opponents deep into their own half.

“On the subject of chest control, Bibout reminds me a little of Christian Benteke,” the former Genk striker told Het Belang van Limburg.

He explained that Benteke could control long passes with his chest rather than simply heading them on, allowing his team to move quickly into dangerous areas. Vossen sees a similar quality in Bibout.

“If you pin the opponent back in their own half, having two tall strikers is a plus,” the Belgian said.

“Then you can play the long ball a little more quickly, because it will always pose a threat.”

That approach could benefit Durosinmi, whose aerial ability is a prominent strengths. With Bibout alongside him, Genk could have two targets capable of contesting long balls, holding up possession and occupying central defenders.

It could also create more space in the final third, with opposition defenders forced to account for both forwards rather than concentrating on Durosinmi.

Vossen, however, warned that the partnership may be less suitable when Genk rely on counter-attacks, where a quicker forward could offer more value.

The decision will therefore depend on the opposition and the match situation.

For Durosinmi, Bibout’s emergence presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The Nigerian must maintain his scoring form, but a regular partnership could also give him more support and help Genk make better use of his aerial strengths.