Super Eagles duo Tolu Arokodare and Raphael Onyedika have been nominated for the prestigious Ebony Shoe Award in the Belgium Pro League. The Ebony Shoe Award is an annual football accolade in Belgium, given to the best African or African-origin player in the Belgian Pro League.
Both players have been in top form this season for both club and country. Arokodare has displayed impressive form this season while playing for KRC Genk, securing 20 goals and five assists in 35 league appearances under coach Thorsten Fink.
Onyedika has also received a nomination for the Ebony Shoe Award, boasting a striking record as one of the top performers for Club Brugge, which reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
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The former FC Midtjylland midfielder has contributed two goals and two assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for Brugge this season. Other nominees for the award include Promise David, a Nigerian-born Canadian international playing for Union Saint-Gilloise; Noah Sadki, a Democratic Republic of Congo international; and Morocco winger Zakaria El Ouahdi.
Genk’s Tolu Toluwalase Arokodare celebrates after winning a soccer match between KRC Genk and Royal Antwerp FC, Tuesday 26 December 2023 in Genk, on day 20 of the 2023-2024 season of the ‘Jupiler Pro League’ first division of the Belgian championship. BELGA PHOTO JOHAN EYCKENS – Photo by Icon sport || 184986_0041 Attitude Joie Foot foot-ball football soccer – Photo by Icon Sport
Promise David was born in Canada to Nigerian parents and was called up to the Nigeria U23 team in October 2022 for 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Tanzania U23s. However, he later switched allegiance to focus on playing for his country of birth, Canada. The inaugural award was won by former Super Eagles striker Daniel Amokachi in 1992.
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In 2021, Paul Onuachu won the Ebony Shoe Award, making him the first Nigerian to win it in 25 years. He also won the Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year and was recognized as the top scorer in Belgium. The awards ceremony will take place in Brussels on Monday, May 12.
