Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare has etched his name into the history books by winning the prestigious Ebony Shoe award for 2025, becoming only the second Nigerian ever to clinch the accolade after a sensational season with Belgian giants KRC Genk.
The Ebony Shoe is awarded annually to the best African player or player of African descent in the Belgian Pro League. Arokodare’s impressive performances and consistency throughout the 2024/25 season saw him outshine other top contenders to claim the honour.
The 24-year-old forward played a pivotal role in Genk’s campaign, netting 18 goals and providing 7 assists across all competitions, helping the club to a strong league finish and a deep run in the domestic cup. His strength, aerial presence, and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for defenders and a fan favourite at the Cegeka Arena.
Arokodare follows in the footsteps of Nigerian legend Daniel Amokachi, who won the inaugural edition of the Ebony Shoe in 1992 while playing for Club Brugge. The award has since been won by African greats such as Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku, and Mbark Boussoufa.
Speaking after receiving the award, Arokodare expressed his gratitude: “This means a lot to me. To be recognised among so many great African talents in this league is a huge honour. I thank God, my teammates, coaches, and everyone at Genk who supported me. I hope this inspires more young players back home in Nigeria to keep believing.”
The Ebony Shoe is determined by a panel of coaches, sports journalists, and football experts in Belgium, taking into account the player’s impact, skill, and discipline both on and off the pitch.
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