Super Eagles star Tolu Arokodare joins the Vincent Kompany club

Genk striker Tolu Arokodare has been awarded the Ebony Shoe for 2025, an accolade given to the best player with African heritage in the Belgian Pro League.

Arokodare’s strong season, which has seen him score 21 times in 38 matches across the regular season and championship round, earned him the prize, succeeding Kevin Denkey.

The Nigerian forward’s victory continues a pattern that has emerged in recent years, with a Genk player receiving the Ebony Shoe every other season, as evidenced by Ally Samatta’s 2019 success, Paul Onuachu (2021) and Mike Tresor (2023). 

Arokodare pipped Union Saint-Gilloise's Noah Sadiki and teammate Zakaria El Ouahdi to the award, which has seen him emulate Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, who claimed the Ebony Shoe in consecutive years (2004, 2005). 

With 2025's award going to the 24-year-old, it is the seventh time that a Nigerian has secured the prize, emulating Daniel Amokachi (2), Victor Ikpeba, Godwin Okpara, Celestine Babayaro and Paul Onuachu.

"It means a lot," said the forward in remarks seen on Sporza. "It's a big pat on the back for me, a confirmation that I've played a special season. This is my reward for those good performances."

While KRC finished the regular season atop the table, results have slipped in the championship round, with the Smurfs currently on a six-match winless run, losing five during that run.