Tolu Arokodare has capped off an outstanding particular person marketing campaign with Belgian aspect Genk by successful the 2025 Ebony Shoe – the distinguished award handed to the most effective participant of African descent in Belgium’s prime flight, Soccernet.ng stories.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker beat stiff competitors from 4 different nominees, together with Genk teammate Zakaria El Ouahdi (Morocco), Union Saint-Gilloise duo Noah Sadiki (DR Congo) and Promise David (Canada), in addition to Membership Brugge and Nigeria midfielder Raphael Onyedika.
Arokodare loved a standout season within the Jupiler Professional League, scoring 20 league objectives and offering six assists beneath the steering of coach Thorsten Fink. He additionally netted twice within the Belgian Cup.
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Tolu Arokodare: Genk striker turns into the sixth Nigerian to win Belgium’s Ebony Shoe award
His type didn’t go unnoticed at worldwide stage both.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle handed Arokodare a primary senior call-up in March for the Tremendous Eagles’ FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. He made his debut off the bench in opposition to Rwanda and featured once more in its place in opposition to Zimbabwe.
The award was formally offered through the 2025 African Awards Gala held on the Tangla Lodge in Brussels on Monday night time.
Arokodare turns into the sixth Nigerian to win the Ebony Shoe, becoming a member of an illustrious checklist that features Daniel Amokachi (1992, 1994), Victor Ikpeba (1993), Godwin Okpara (1995), Celestine Babayaro (1996), and Paul Onuachu (2021).
Created in 1992 by the African Tradition Promotion, the Ebony Shoe goals to honour African and African-origin gamers excelling in Belgian soccer. It was based on the idea that African skills had been being neglected for particular person accolades regardless of their influence.
The winner is chosen by a jury comprising membership coaches, the Belgium nationwide group supervisor, sports activities journalists, and honorary judges. Notable previous winners embody Vincent Kompany, Dieumerci Mbokani, and Mbark Boussoufa – the latter holding a file three titles.
With two video games nonetheless to play this season, Arokodare stays within the hunt for the league’s Golden Boot, capping what may turn into a career-defining 12 months.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns right into a ball of ardour when writing about Nigerian soccer and its skills, whether or not rising stars or established legends, domestically and overseas.
From the deepest corners of the Center East, to the inexperienced fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the wealthy soils of Africa, Imhons is greater than glad, often with a glass of a tasty drink close by, to seize the essence of the sport, by connecting the dots between tradition, id, and soccer.
