Saturday, August 29

Super Eagles striker Rafiu Durosinmi has scored in four consecutive Belgian Pro League matches for KRC Genk, sending a clear message to Eric Chelle ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 23-year-old opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute as Genk cruised to a 4-0 victory over SK Beveren at the Cegeka Arena last night, with Junya Ito, Josue Ndenge Kongolo and Joris Kayembe completing the rout.

It was another statement performance from a striker who has barely drawn breath since arriving in Belgium as Genk’s record signing, a €10.5 million deal from Pisa that made him the most expensive purchase in the club’s history this summer, with a four-year contract running until June 2030.

Genk;s Rafiu Durosinmi celebrates after scoring
Genk’s Rafiu Durosinmi celebrates after scoring. Copyright: Imago

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Reflecting on his latest goal, Durosinmi didn’t hold back from giving credit to his teammates.

“I feel very good and, above all, I am very happy. This is a good start. The team helped me to score,” he told Het Belang van Limburg.

“We have a lot of quality in the squad and when you have a good group, it becomes easier to play.”

Breakdown of Rafiu Durosinmi’s goalscoring run

Durosinmi opened his Genk account with a debut header against Zulte Waregem on the opening weekend of the season, rising above the defence to finish off a cross from Junya Ito and win the Man of the Match award, even though Genk lost the game.

Genk’s Rafiu Durosinmi celebrates after scoring. Copyright: Imago

He scored for the second consecutive game the following weekend, converting from the penalty spot as Genk came from two goals down to defeat Westerlo 3-2.

His third consecutive goal came in Genk’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Royal Antwerp on August 22, before they led 4-1 with ten minutes to play, only for Antwerp to complete a stunning comeback.

The goal against Beveren makes it four in four, a record that draws comparison to Tolu Arokodare, the Nigerian striker who preceded him at Genk before winning the Belgian Golden Boot and earning a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Durosinmi has already set his sights on the Golden Boot himself, declaring his ambition publicly after his debut goal.

Rafiu Durosinmi. Copyright: Imago

Durosinmi opens up on life at Genk

Beyond the goals, Durosinmi has been open about his adjustment to life in Belgium, a country and a culture very different from anything he has experienced previously in Italy and the Czech Republic.

“Life in Genk is difficult and different from what I am used to, but from my first day I have felt good with this team,” he said.

“Everyone helps each other and that makes it easier to settle in immediately and feel at home.”

His physical attributes have been a talking point across Belgium since his arrival, with the 1.92-metre striker’s aerial ability drawing consistent attention. Asked whether he knew exactly how high he could jump, the former Pisa striker said;

“No, I don’t know. Everyone asks me that, but I’ve never measured it. Maybe we should look into that sometime. That’s just natural,” he said.

On the defensive side of his contribution, Durosinmi was also clear about what he believes underpinned the clean sheet against Beveren.

“We stood compact and started pressing immediately. Everyone was willing to help each other. We really defended as a team. That helps to keep a clean sheet,” the three-cap Super Eagles striker said.

Super Eagles case growing stronger

Durosinmi became a capped Super Eagles international during the 2026 Unity Cup, where he played against Zimbabwe and Jamaica before featuring in the friendly clash against Poland just before the 2026 World Cup.

Team photo of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Copyright: ImagoxLuisxLoureirox

With four goals in four games, the case for a regular Super Eagles berth under Eric Chelle is building by the week.

Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers begin in September, and a striker in this kind of form is not one Chelle can afford to overlook for much longer.

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