Racing Genk have opened up a ten-point gap at the top of the Belgian Pro League table after a 4-1 rout of RSC Charleroi at the Cegeka Arena on Friday night.

Paul Onuachu continued his rich vein of form with four goals - the first double brace achieved by the Nigeria international in his professional career.

The lanky striker broke the deadlock from the spot in the ninth minute, doubled the lead after he was found via a free kick in the 35th minute, and restored Genk's two-goal cushion at minute 71 when the ball was put on a plate for him by Joseph Paintsil.

However, he wasn't finished yet as he netted his fourth of the game in injury time, taking his tally for the season to twelve, all of them scored in his last seven matches.

Speaking post-match, Onuachu said : "If I could remember this is the first time of scoring four goals, there's always first time for everything.

"I'm very happy of course to get four goals and the three points for the team. I am very happy that the team we played a good game and I'm happy for my goals. "

When asked how he scored the four goals, Onuachu refused to take the credit alone as he hailed the contribution of his teammates. 

"The first one is a penalty and when you know a keeper like Koffi he's a good goalkeeper with very good reflexes.

"I remember I faced him in Charleroi he saved a penalty so I think I knew what to do before the game, I said to myself I have to put it in the middle no matter what.

"The second one. You know Mike Trésor, good feet, good technically and I just had to give him the sign he knows where to put it. I knew the ball was coming there and I went for it and it's a perfect goal.

"The third one is an instinct. I know when Paintsil is in front of a defender I just have to be there to tap it in.

"The fourth one was not a coincidence. We trained it a day before the game. He (Carstensen) made some crosses for me and other strikers. I knew he was going to bring it in and I had to use my last strength because I was already tired. It was a great goal and a good assist. "

With his double brace against RSC Charleroi, Onuachu became the top scoring African in the history of Genk with 80 goals, overtaking Tanzania international Ally Samatta (77).

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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