AFCON 2025
Morocco international Zakaria El Ouahdi has been crowned winner of the 2026 Belgian Ebony Shoe, edging out Nigeria’s Raphael Onyedika and Algeria’s Adem Zorgane after a standout season in the Belgian Pro League.
The award ceremony, held in Brussels on Monday, recognised El Ouahdi as the best African or African-descended player in Belgium, following a campaign that redefined expectations for defenders. The KRC Genk right-back delivered exceptional attacking output, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
His numbers proved decisive in a closely contested race, particularly given his position in defence, a role that rarely produces such goal contributions. El Ouahdi’s season was further underlined by resilience, having missed close to two months due to a shoulder injury before returning without any drop in performance. Despite Genk’s struggles as a team and failure to reach the league’s top play-offs, the Moroccan remained their most consistent and influential player.
Zorgane, who plays for Union Saint-Gilloise, finished second after an impressive campaign of his own. Operating in central midfield, the Algerian recorded four goals and seven assists in 28 matches, combining creativity with control in one of Belgium’s most competitive sides this season.
Onyedika, representing Club Brugge, placed third after a solid and disciplined campaign. The Super Eagles midfielder featured in 41 matches, contributing three goals and two assists while playing a crucial role in Brugge’s domestic and European performances.
Although his attacking numbers were modest compared to the top two, Onyedika’s value lay in his tactical discipline, ball recovery, and ability to dictate the tempo of games. His performances in the UEFA Champions League were particularly notable, where he scored twice and provided one assist as Brugge progressed to the quarter-finals. One of his standout moments came in a commanding 4–1 victory over AS Monaco, where he found the net with a composed finish.
The final standings reflected the contrast in playing styles and statistical output among the top three. While Onyedika’s influence was rooted in control and defensive stability, both El Ouahdi and Zorgane offered more direct attacking contributions, a factor that ultimately shaped the voting outcome.
The 2026 result also continues a notable trend in the award’s history, where players with decisive attacking numbers often have the edge. Since its establishment in 1992, the Ebony Shoe has largely been dominated by forwards and attacking midfielders, with defenders rarely claiming the prize. El Ouahdi’s victory therefore stands out as one of the few occasions a defender has risen above traditionally attack-minded contenders.
Nigeria, however, maintains a strong legacy in the history of the award. Six Nigerian players have won the Ebony Shoe since its inception, beginning with Daniel Amokachi, who claimed the inaugural edition in 1992. Amokachi also remains the only Nigerian to have won the award twice.
Other Nigerian winners include Victor Ikpeba, Godwin Okpara, Celestine Babayaro, and Paul Onuachu, each of whom left a mark during their time in Belgian football. Most recently, Tolu Arokodare won the 2025 edition after an outstanding season with Genk, scoring over 20 goals across competitions to become one of the league’s most dominant forwards.
El Ouahdi’s win means Genk have now produced back-to-back Ebony Shoe winners, underlining the club’s growing influence in developing top African talent in Belgium.
For Onyedika, finishing third does little to diminish what has been another important step in his development. At 24, the midfielder continues to establish himself as one of Nigeria’s most reliable exports in Europe. While his style may not always attract headlines, his consistency and tactical intelligence remain highly valued at club and international level.
As the 2026 Ebony Shoe chapter closes, attention will now shift to whether Onyedika can build on this campaign and return stronger in the race next season, possibly adding more attacking output to complement his already well-rounded game.
