Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has missed out on the 2026 Belgian Ebony Shoe, as Morocco’s Zakaria El Ouahdi claimed the prestigious award on a memorable night in Brussels, Soccernet.ng reports.
Held on Monday, May 4, the ceremony confirmed El Ouahdi as the best African or African-descended player in Belgium this season. The KRC Genk right-back produced a standout campaign to edge a competitive shortlist and succeed his former club teammate, Nigeria’s Tolu Arokodare, who won the award in 2025.
El Ouahdi’s victory is particularly notable as he becomes one of the rare defenders in recent years to lift the Ebony Shoe, underlining the growing recognition of his all-round impact.
Why El Ouahdi beat Onyedika
The deciding factor in El Ouahdi’s triumph was his exceptional attacking output combined with consistency. From right-back, he delivered an impressive 12 goals and five assists in 41 appearances across all competitions — numbers that are extraordinary for a defender.
His achievement is even more remarkable given that he missed around two months of the season through injury. Despite that setback, he returned strongly and remained Genk’s most decisive performer in a campaign where the club fell short of the championship play-offs.
In contrast, Onyedika’s influence at Club Brugge was more understated but highly effective. The Nigerian midfielder featured 29 times in the league, playing a key role in controlling games with his composure, passing range, and defensive discipline. He also added two goals and one assist in the UEFA Champions League, helping Brugge reach the quarter-finals.
One of his standout moments came in a 4–1 victory over AS Monaco, where he scored a well-taken goal. Statistically, he also contributed 1.64 tackles and 0.96 interceptions per 90 minutes, reinforcing his importance as a balanced midfield presence.
However, in a contest increasingly influenced by decisive attacking contributions, El Ouahdi’s direct goal involvement ultimately set him apart. The Moroccan finished top of the rankings, ahead of Union Saint-Gilloise’s Adem Zorgane in second place, while Onyedika secured third. Promise David, now a Canadian international, and Parfait Guiagon completed the shortlist.
Nigeria’s Ebony Shoe legacy
Despite missing out this time, Nigeria continues to hold a strong legacy in the award’s history. Six Nigerian players have previously won the Ebony Shoe. Daniel Amokachi was the inaugural winner and remains the only Nigerian to claim it twice. Others on the prestigious list include Victor Ikpeba, Godwin Okpara, Celestine Babayaro, Paul Onuachu, and Tolu Arokodare.
Onyedika’s podium finish adds another strong showing to that record, even as the 2026 edition ultimately belonged to Morocco’s rising star.
