Tolu Arokodare, a striker for the Super Eagles and KRC Genk, has been awarded the prestigious 2024/25 Ebony Shoe Award in Belgium.
The Ebony Shoe Award, presented annually to the best African player in the Belgian football scene, was conferred upon Arokodare on Monday.
The 24-year-old forward has been in outstanding form, having scored 20 goals in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, positioning him as the second-leading goal scorer in the competition.
Arokodare played a pivotal role in helping KRC Genk secure the top position in the regular season of the 2024/2025 campaign. However, their aspirations for the title were ultimately hindered during the championship play-offs.
Tolu Arokodare has become the seventh Nigerian player to be awarded the prestigious Ebony Shoe Award, a distinction he claimed as the top African player in Belgium for the 2024/25 season. Arokodare’s achievement follows in the footsteps of Paul Onuachu, who last won the award in 2021.
In securing the award, Arokodare triumphed over several notable competitors, including Noah Sidiki of Union Saint-Gilloise, his Genk teammate Zakaria El Ouahdi, Union Saint-Gilloise’s Promise David, and compatriot Raphael Onyedika.
Other Nigerian footballers who have previously received the Ebony Shoe Award include Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Godwin Opara, and Celestine Babayaro.
Arokodare, who was born in Festac Town, Lagos, made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2025. He came on as a substitute for Victor Osimhen during a 2026 World Cup qualification match against Rwanda. Shortly thereafter, he featured again for the national team in a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in the same qualification campaign.#newsafro_
