Pro League: Tolu Arokodare wins the Ebony Shoe

On May 12, Tolu Arokodare was crowned Ebony Shoe 2025 winner, an award given to the best African player or player of African origin in the Pro League. This marks the Nigerian striker's first individual trophy of his career and in the colors of KRC Genk.

The verdict was delivered on Monday evening during the traditional Ebony Shoe gala held in Brussels. Tolu Arokodare, the Genk frontman, was named the best African player competing in the Belgian league for the 2024/2025 season. He succeeds Togolese star Kevin Denkey (the 2024 winner) and finished ahead of Congolese Noah Sadiki, his Moroccan teammate Zakaria El Ouahdi, Canadian Promise David (Union Saint-Gilloise), and fellow Nigerian Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge).

Since joining Genk in January 2023, Tolu Arokodare has taken his game to another level this season. The 2024-2025 campaign will be remembered for Arokodare’s spectacular breakthrough with Genk. A complete and promising striker, he netted 22 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions. After receiving his trophy, the Nigerian forward shared his delight with the Belgian press.

"I knew about this trophy because Paul (Onuachu) won it. I think it's wonderful to honor African culture like this (...) As a player and as a person, the goal is always to improve every day. My ceiling? The aim is to look back when it’s all over and say I had a great career," Arokodare said.

Lydiane N'Po |

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Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.