Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
Rafiu Durosinmi has made an encouraging start to life at Belgian club KRC Genk, but former Genk coach Johan Boskamp has warned the club against placing the entire burden of its ambitions on the Nigerian striker.
The 23-year-old Super Eagles forward has already made his presence felt after scoring in each of Genk’s opening two league matches of the 2026/27 Belgian Pro League season.
Durosinmi scored on his competitive debut against Zulte Waregem, although his effort could not prevent Genk from suffering a 2-1 defeat. He followed that performance with another goal against Westerlo, converting a 41st-minute penalty as Genk recovered from two goals down to win 3-2.
The early goals have immediately raised expectations around the Nigerian, who arrived at Genk this summer as the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Genk reportedly paid €10.5 million to sign Durosinmi from Italian club Pisa, with the transfer representing a major investment in a striker the Belgian side believes can become an important figure in its attack.
However, Boskamp believes the sizeable transfer fee should not translate into unrealistic expectations.
Boskamp warns Genk over Durosinmi
Boskamp, who previously coached Genk and remains an analyst of Belgian football, has questioned whether the club has built a strong enough team around its new centre-forward.
Speaking to Het Belang van Limburg, Boskamp acknowledged Genk’s decision to sign the expensive Nigerian striker but stressed that Durosinmi cannot be expected to solve every problem by himself.
His warning was straightforward: if Genk does not surround Durosinmi with the right players, the striker cannot be expected to carry the team on his shoulders.
The comments came after Genk’s disappointing opening-day defeat against Zulte Waregem.
According to reports from Belgian football outlets, Boskamp has also expressed concern about Genk’s squad structure and the possibility of several players leaving during the transfer window. He questioned whether the club intends to invest heavily in replacements or rely more heavily on its young players.
His concern therefore goes beyond Durosinmi himself.
The former coach believes the striker’s success will depend significantly on the quality and balance of the squad around him.
Durosinmi already showing his quality
Despite Boskamp’s warning, Durosinmi has given Genk supporters plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
The Nigerian joined the Belgian club after a difficult spell at Pisa, where he scored once in 12 competitive appearances following his January move from Viktoria Plzeň.
Before that, however, Durosinmi had established himself as a prolific attacker in the Czech Republic.
During his time with Karviná and Viktoria Plzeň, he developed a reputation as a powerful and technically capable forward capable of scoring important goals.
Genk’s official announcement noted that he had recorded 35 goals and 10 assists in 86 appearances for Viktoria Plzeň. Overall, the club said he had 54 goals and 17 assists from 150 professional appearances at the time of his arrival.
His physical profile is also one of the qualities Genk identified when recruiting him.
Standing at around 1.92 metres, Durosinmi offers a strong presence in the penalty area and can provide an outlet for his teammates when Genk comes under pressure.
Genk’s head of football, Dimitri de Condé, described him as a classic number nine who can hold the ball, link up with teammates and provide a strong presence inside the box.
Those qualities were part of the reason the Belgian club decided to make such a significant financial commitment to the Nigerian.
A club-record signing
Durosinmi’s arrival has naturally created considerable expectations.
The €10.5 million reported transfer fee surpassed Genk’s previous transfer record of €7 million, which the club paid for Theo Bongonda in 2019.
That makes Durosinmi more than just another attacking addition.
He is a record signing expected to help Genk compete near the top of Belgian football.
The club also has a history of successfully developing Nigerian forwards.
Paul Onuachu became one of the Belgian league’s most prolific strikers during his time at Genk before securing a move to the Premier League.
Tolu Arokodare also enjoyed a productive spell with the club and won the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Durosinmi is therefore arriving in an environment where Nigerian strikers have previously enjoyed considerable success.
Genk will hope he can follow the same path.
Two goals, two different lessons
Durosinmi’s first two league matches have provided a useful illustration of Boskamp’s argument.
Against Zulte Waregem, the Nigerian scored but Genk still lost.
The result demonstrated that even when the club’s record signing delivers individually, his contribution may not be enough to guarantee victory.
Against Westerlo, the story was different.
Genk found itself two goals behind before Durosinmi’s penalty reduced the deficit. Bryan Heynen subsequently equalised before Aaron Bibout completed the comeback to give Genk a 3-2 victory.
Durosinmi’s goal was crucial because it helped change the momentum of the match, but the victory ultimately required contributions from several players.
That is precisely the point Boskamp appears to be making.
A striker can score goals, occupy defenders, hold up play and create opportunities, but he cannot control every aspect of a football match.
Genk must therefore build a system that allows Durosinmi’s strengths to become even more effective.
The importance of service
For a centre-forward like Durosinmi, the quality of service from midfield and the wings will be particularly important.
His size and physical presence make him a natural target inside the penalty area, but Genk must consistently create opportunities for him to attack.
Crosses, through balls, combinations around the box and quick transitions can all help the Nigerian maximise his strengths.
At the same time, the striker will need support from teammates who can occupy defenders and create space.
If opponents are allowed to concentrate almost entirely on stopping Durosinmi, Genk could make it easier for defenders to neutralise him.
That is why Boskamp’s warning is significant.
The issue is not whether Durosinmi is capable of scoring goals. His early performances suggest that he can.
The bigger question is whether Genk can create the conditions for him to remain productive throughout a demanding season.
Pressure comes with the price tag
There is little doubt that the transfer fee will attract attention whenever Durosinmi fails to score.
A club-record signing is inevitably judged against the financial investment made in him.
However, the Nigerian’s previous experience suggests he may need time to settle.
His move to Pisa was complicated by a coaching change, limited opportunities and a difficult campaign for the Italian club.
Durosinmi himself has previously explained that his experience in Italy made him stronger and taught him important lessons.
Genk represents an opportunity to rebuild his momentum.
His first two league appearances have already provided an encouraging response.
Two goals in two matches is exactly the kind of start supporters would have wanted from their record signing.
But the club must resist the temptation to interpret the early goals as evidence that Durosinmi can solve every weakness in the team.
Super Eagles implications
Durosinmi’s performances in Belgium could also have implications for his international career.
The striker has already been introduced to the Super Eagles setup and is competing for recognition in a Nigeria attack that contains several established forwards.
Regular football and consistent goals at Genk could strengthen his case for more opportunities with the national team.
Nigeria has no shortage of attacking options, with established names competing for places, meaning Durosinmi will need to maintain his club form if he wants to become a regular international figure.
A successful season in Belgium could provide him with the platform to establish himself at both club and international level.
Genk must find the balance
Ultimately, Boskamp’s warning should not be interpreted as criticism of Durosinmi.
Instead, it is a reminder that football remains a team sport.
Genk clearly believes the Nigerian has the qualities required to become a major player for the club. The four-year contract he signed, running until 2030, demonstrates the long-term nature of the club’s commitment.
Durosinmi, meanwhile, has responded positively on the pitch.
Scoring in consecutive league games has given him an excellent platform and should boost his confidence after his difficult experience in Italy.
The challenge now is for Genk to ensure that his progress is supported rather than overshadowed by the pressure of his record transfer fee.
If the club can provide him with consistent service, a balanced midfield, creative teammates and a stable tactical structure, Durosinmi has the opportunity to become one of the most important Nigerian players in the Belgian league.
But if Genk expects the 23-year-old to single-handedly rescue matches and carry the club’s entire season, Boskamp’s warning could prove prophetic.
For now, the early signs remain positive.
Durosinmi has scored twice in his first two league appearances, Genk have already recorded their first comeback victory, and the Nigerian striker appears to be settling quickly into his new surroundings.
The next stage will be maintaining that form while ensuring that the responsibility for Genk’s success remains shared across the team.
Sources: KRC Genk, Het Belang van Limburg, Voetbalkrant, PUNCH Sports Extra, Soccernet Nigeria.
