Nigeria Players Abroad
Patrick Goots shocked by Tolu Arokodare’s improvement
By Monsurah Olatunji
Former Belgian striker, Patrick Goots has expressed surprise at the remarkable form of KRC Genk forward, Tolu Arokodare in the Jupiler Pro League this season.
Arokodare joined Genk in 2023 from the Latvian club, Valmiera as a replacement for another Nigerian prolific striker, Paul Onuachu. However, he struggled to replicate Onuachu’s consistency, scoring just two league goals in his debut season.
The Lagos-born forward has now been in scintillating form since the campaign began, currently leading the league’s top scorers’ chart with 13 goals—one ahead of his closest rival, Kasper Dolberg.
His combined 17 goal involvements have helped Genk go three points clear of second-placed Club Brugge, boosting their chances of deposing the Blauw-Zwart as Belgian champions.
Impressed by his improvement, Goots admitted that he never expected such progressive form from the striker, given his slow start at the club.
“I certainly wasn’t overwhelmed then. He had to deal with a lot of injuries. He was never really top fit,” Patrick Goots told Het Nieuwsblad via voetbalnieuws.
“No, but neither did Genk. He couldn’t handle 90 minutes back then. He was a different Tolu.
“Now he’s a rock in the surf, who doesn’t shy away from a duel and who you don’t easily push off the ball.
“He’s changed in every way. He already had the qualities before, but now he’s physically in tip-top shape.
“He is also of great value in combinations with Steuckers, for example. Tolu is the point of contact who has to pass the ball, which allows the entire team to advance.”
