Paul Onuachu has sent a powerful message to Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr after scoring for the fifth consecutive game as Racing Genk thrashed RFC Seraing 3-0 in a Belgian First Division A match at the Cegeka Arena (Genk) on Sunday night.

The 2.01 meters striker has played second fiddle to Napoli striker Victor Osimhen when on national team duties but he's proving that he deserves a spot in the starting line-up with his recent performances ahead of the upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

After uncharacteristically missing a penalty in the 33rd minute, Onuachu atoned for the miss by opening the scoring in the 42nd minute, slotting into an empty net after the ball was put on a plate for him.

A minute to the end of the half, the Nigerian fired home the rebound to put Genk 2-0 up after his initial effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Three minutes into the second half, Onuachu put the result beyond doubt when he converted a spot kick, and in doing so netted his fifth hat-trick as a professional.

Three of those hat-tricks came in the colours of FC Midtjylland, against Derry City (Europa League qualifying), Nordsjaelland (Superliga) and Greve Fodbold (Danish Cup), while his fourth hat-trick and his first in Belgian football was against KAS Eupen in January 2021.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel