Zakaria El Ouahdi wins the Belgian Ebony Boot ahead of Raphael Onyedika, as the Nigerian midfielder continues to attract transfer interest

Nigeria international Raphael Onyedika on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, missed out on the Belgian Ebony Boot award, which recognises the best African player in the Belgian Pro League, after Genk defender Zakaria El Ouahdi was named winner.

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The award ceremony confirmed El Ouahdi as this season’s recipient, following a strong campaign that saw him outperform several African contenders across the league.

Raphael Onyedika, who has been a key figure for Club Brugge, was among the nominees but ultimately fell short in the final voting.

The Onyedika Ebony Boot award race had drawn attention due to the midfielder’s consistent performances in Belgium, where he has developed into an important squad player since joining Club Brugge.

El Ouahdi’s win continues Genk’s strong representation in the award category, following previous success by former teammate Tolu Arokodare, who claimed the honour last season.

Onyedika is currently in the spotlight as transfer speculation grows around his future, with reports linking him to clubs in Turkey and Germany ahead of the summer window.

Galatasaray and Wolfsburg are among the sides reportedly monitoring the Nigerian midfielder, as he approaches a potential departure from Club Brugge after several seasons at the club.

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The result highlights the continued competitiveness of African players in the Belgian league, where performances are closely tracked by European scouts.