Take my place – Arokodare reacts with humour after Genk defenders steal the show in Anderlecht win

Tolu Arokodare took his goalless outing in good spirits after Genk’s wing-backs delivered the goals in a vital 2-1 win away to Anderlecht in the Belgian Champions Play-Offs, Footynaija.com reports.

The Super Eagles striker, currently the Belgian Pro League’s top scorer with 18 goals, was kept quiet on the night — but it was Genk’s defenders who stepped up.

Joris Kayembe gave the visitors a first-half lead, and after Anderlecht equalised through César Huerta in the second half, Zakaria El Ouahdi produced a superb volley to secure the victory late on.

Speaking to Sporza via Voetbalnieuws after the match, Arokodare joked about the defenders’ attacking brilliance: “Our wing defenders score two incredible goals, they score as their attackers. We have to be careful because they will take our place. But it doesn’t really matter who scores or how the goal is scored, as long as we win.”

Milestone moment! Tolu Arokodare celebrates his 100th game in Genk colors with a big win!#smsports #Genk #Teatime pic.twitter.com/huJQzvfE0f

— GideonofAdobe (@gideon__01) April 6, 2025

Despite not finding the net, the new Super Eagles forward, who made his 100th appearance for Genk, was full of praise for his teammates’ contributions from wide areas.

For his Super Eagles initiation, Tolu Arokodare performed YCee’s Juice to his teammates. pic.twitter.com/X7Zv85QDCX

— @ (@OneJoblessBoy) March 23, 2025

El Ouahdi, who netted the match-winner with a well-executed volley, revealed the finish was something they had worked on in training: “We had been practicing a drop shot since before. I wasn’t sure if it would be there, with Coosemans in goal you never know, he’s already taken a few out, so I had to wait a bit until it hit the net.”

With the win, Thorsten Fink’s Genk stay top of the play-off standings with 40 points—four ahead of Club Brugge and six above Union SG.

The Limburg club remains firmly in the hunt for the Belgian title, as Anderlecht, Antwerp and Gent begin to fade in the race.