Nigeria hopeful Tolu Arokodare suffers knee injury

Tolu gestures to the bench in the match against Oostende

BELGIAN PRO LEAGUE Nigeria hopeful Tolu Arokodare suffers knee injury

Faruq Ibrahim 20:43 - 27.02.2023

Tolu Arokodare suffered an injury in the 12th minute of the game against Oostende.

Genk's manager Wout Vrancken has confirmed that 22-year-old Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare has suffered a knee injury.

Tolu, who Genk signed to replace Paul Onuachu after he moved to Southampton, was substituted early in Genk's 3-0 win over Oostende.

Tolu went off injured in the 12th minute of the game

Vrancken confirms Tolu's injury

Genk got back to winning ways when they soundly beat Oostende, breaking a two-game winless drought.

Daniel Munoz gave Genk an early lead in the ninth minute, which was doubled five minutes later by Tanzania’s Mbwana and Ally Samatta.

The Blauw-Wit's Black Star Joseph Paintsil made it three in the 73rd minute to confirm a resounding victory for the hosts.

However, it was not all merrymaking for Genk after the huge win, as they lost January signing Tolu Arokodare to injury in the 12th minute of the game. 

Tolu was attended to on the pitch after his injury
Tolu was attended to on the pitch after his injury

The Nigerian was initially attended to by medics on the field, who later adjudged him to be unfit to continue. After the game, Genk's manager Vracken confirmed that he suffered a knee injury, but he allayed fears of a more serious problem by confirming that it was not a cruciate ligament problem.

"Tolu had knee problems, but it wouldn't be a cruciate ligament injury," he said.

Tolu's injury could hamper Genk's title run

Onuachu's exit impacted Genk, who have only won two of their last five league games since the close of the January transfer window and could have seen their comfortable league lead slip but for inconsistencies from the chasing pack.

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Tolu's injury could derail Genk's title bid and cut their 10-point lead at the top of the Belgian Pro League if he is sidelined for an extended period of time.

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