As anticipation builds ahead of the Jupiler Pro League playoff showdown between Royal Antwerp and Racing Genk on Wednesday night, former Genk striker Patrick Goots has issued a stern warning to Antwerp to keep a close eye on Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare. Goots, offering his expert analysis of the playoff fixtures on Belgian outlet GVA, highlighted Arokodare as a critical figure in Genk’s title charge and urged Antwerp head coach Andries Ulderink to craft a game plan specifically to neutralize the in-form striker at the Bosuilstadion.
"Ulderink will have to make good choices again against Genk and Tolu Arokodare. Hopefully we won't get a repeat of the scenario with Rosen Bozhinov and Promise David," Gazet van Antwerpen in-house analyst Goots said.
Arokodare has been instrumental for Genk this season, bagging 19 goals and contributing six assists in 34 league appearances. His prolific form has kept Genk firmly in the race for their fifth league crown, having previously lifted the title in the 1998–99, 2001–02, 2010–11, and 2018–19 seasons.
Reflecting on Antwerp’s 5–1 drubbing by Union St. Gilloise in their last outing—where Promise David scored and Rosen Bozhinov was shown a red card—Goots emphasized the need for a more disciplined defensive approach. He suggested that Antwerp’s young defender Zeno Van den Bosch could be pivotal in keeping Arokodare quiet. "Zeno Van den Bosch will have to stay in the zone of truth with Tolu," Goots advised, hinting at a man-marking assignment to limit the striker’s space and impact.
Despite Goots' concerns, Racing Genk would be counting on Arokodare to deliver yet again as they seek a crucial result away from home. A win would bolster their title ambitions and reaffirm Arokodare’s status as one of the league’s standout performers.
As the match kicked off at the Bosuilstadion, the atmosphere was electric. Racing Genk made two changes to their starting lineup, bringing in Patrik Hrosovsky and Niklas Sattlberger to replace Kos Karetsas and Ibrahima Bangoura. On the other side, Antwerp made one change, with Riedewald stepping in for the suspended Deman.
"We will have to be at our top level, otherwise we can’t get a result against this Racing Genk," said Antwerp coach Andries Ulderink, setting the tone for a high-stakes encounter.
The match began with Antwerp showing more urgency, creating several chances early on. Just over ten minutes into the game, Chery came close, hitting the post with a well-placed shot that left Genk's defense rattled. However, Genk gradually found their footing, with Arokodare getting a few opportunities but unable to convert.
As the first half progressed, both teams struggled with efficiency in front of goal, and they went into halftime with the score still tied at 0-0. The second half saw Antwerp come out strong, and their persistence paid off when Balikwisha scored the opener around the 60-minute mark.
However, the tide turned when Penders from Genk fouled Balikwisha in the box, leading to a penalty for Antwerp. Chery stepped up to take the spot-kick but was denied by Penders, who redeemed himself with a crucial save.
Moments later, Genk capitalized on their resurgence as Tolu Arokodare found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1. The goal was a testament to Arokodare's importance to the team, as he has been a consistent threat all season.
After the equalizer, Genk gained momentum and pressed for a winning goal. However, despite several close calls, neither team could find the decisive strike. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Genk in second place in the league with 41 points, just a point shy of the leaders Club Brugge. Antwerp, on the other hand, secured their second point in the playoffs but remained in sixth with 25 points.
This match highlighted the ongoing battle for supremacy in the Jupiler Pro League, with both teams vying for crucial points as the playoffs progress. As the season continues, all eyes will be on Arokodare and his ability to lead Genk towards another league title.
