Super Eagles duo Tolu Arokodare and Raphael Onyedika have been nominated for the prestigious Ebony Shoe, awarded annually to the best African player in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.
They are joined on the shortlist by Union Saint-Gilloise’s Nigerian-born striker Promise David, Congolese international Noah Sadiki, and Moroccan winger Zakaria El Ouahdi, completing a highly competitive field for this year’s honour.
Arokodare, leading the line for Genk, has been in sensational form this season, banging in 20 goals to establish himself among the league’s top scorers. On the other hand, Onyedika has been a midfield powerhouse for Club Brugge, helping propel his side to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League while keeping Brugge firmly in the title hunt.
Both Nigerians have been instrumental in their clubs’ neck-and-neck battle for domestic supremacy, with their performances earning plaudits across Europe.
The Ebony Shoe winner will be decided by a jury comprising all Jupiler Pro League club coaches, the Belgium national team manager, a selection of sports journalists, and honorary jurors. The award ceremony is scheduled for May 12.
Should either Arokodare or Onyedika claim the prize, they will join an illustrious list of Nigerians who have lifted the trophy — including Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Godwin Okpara, Celestine Babayaro, and Paul Onuachu.
First introduced in 1992, the Ebony Shoe was initially dominated by Nigerians, who won the first five editions. However, there was a long drought before Paul Onuachu reignited the trend with his victory in 2021.
As of 2020, only a few players have managed to win the Ebony Shoe multiple times — notably Mbark Boussoufa (3), Daniel Amokachi (2), Vincent Kompany (2, through his DR Congo heritage), and Dieumerci Mbokani (2).
Now, Arokodare and Onyedika are poised to potentially etch their names into history as the next Nigerian stars to conquer Belgium.
