Tolu Arokodare has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Ebony Shoe, the prestigious award handed to the best player of African descent in Belgian football, after a stellar season leading the line for KRC Genk.
The 24-year-old Nigerian forward topped a competitive shortlist that included his Moroccan Genk teammate Zakaria El Ouahdi, DR Congo’s Noah Sadiki (Union Saint-Gilloise), Canada’s Promise David (Union SG), and fellow Super Eagles player Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge).
Arokodare enjoyed a breakout year, scoring 22 goals and providing seven assists in the Belgian Pro League as Genk pushed towards a third-place finish. He also netted twice in five Belgian Cup appearances, cementing his status as one of the league’s most lethal forwards.
His club form caught the attention of Nigeria manager Eric Chelle, who handed Arokodare his international debut in March. He featured as a substitute in two World Cup qualifiers, against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, giving fans a glimpse of his potential at the highest level.
The Ebony Shoe adds Arokodare’s name to a glittering list of past Nigerian recipients, including Victor Ikpeba, Paul Onuachu, Celestine Babayaro, Daniel Amokachi, and Godwin Okpara. He succeeds Kévin Denkey, the Togo and FC Cincinnati striker who claimed the award last year.
Arokodare’s rise has been meteoric. After emerging in Latvia with Valmiera, he earned moves to FC Köln and Amiens before joining Genk in early 2023. Now, with interest from clubs across Europe growing, a big-money transfer could be on the cards this summer.
Genk will close out their season at home on May 18, looking to seal third place and secure a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa League — a fitting stage for Arokodare to take his next step.
