El Ouahdi Edge Out Onyedika In Ebony Boot Award

In a tightly contested race for Belgian Pro League’s top African honor, Nigeria international Raphael Onyedika has been edged out for the prestigious Ebony Boot award.

The accolade, which recognises the best African player of the season in Belgium’s top flight, instead went to Genk’s Moroccan defender Zakaria El Ouahdi.

El Ouahdi’s victory marks a shift in power from last season, when his then-teammate Tolu Arokodare – a Nigerian striker – claimed the award.

The 24-year-old defender’s consistent performances at left-back, combining defensive solidity with attacking overlaps, earned him the jury’s nod ahead of Onyedika and other standout African talents.

For Onyedika, the runner-up finish adds a bittersweet note to what has already been a season of speculation. The 24-year-old midfield enforcer, known for his ball-winning grit and progressive passing, has spent five years at Club Brugge, developing into one of the league’s most reliable pivots.

Yet despite his individual growth, sources suggest the Nigerian is now pushing for an exit this summer, eager for a new challenge after half a decade in Bruges.

Turkish giants Galatasaray and German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg have emerged as serious admirers, with both clubs understood to be monitoring his availability. Galatasaray sees Onyedika as a potential long-term replacement in their engine room, while Wolfsburg hopes his physical style and European experience could bolster their midfield ahead of a push for continental qualification.

Neither Club Brugge nor Onyedika’s representatives have commented publicly on the transfer speculation, but insiders indicate that the player feels the time is right to test himself in a more competitive league.

Missing out on the Ebony Boot – an award that has previously launched African stars into bigger spotlights – may only strengthen his resolve to seek a new stage.

For now, the spotlight in Belgium belongs to Zakaria El Ouahdi, who becomes the latest Moroccan talent to claim the prize.

Meanwhile, Onyedika’s legacy at Brugge remains intact, but his eyes are already set on what comes next.