Onyekuru Hoping To Follow In The Footsteps Of Babayaro, Nominated For Ebony Shoe

Eupen striker Henry Onyekuru is one of the five nominees for the Ebony Shoe, an award given to the best African or African origin player in the Belgian First Division A.

The 19-year-old is in the running for the award along with Landry Dimata (Congo, KV Oostende), Sofiane Hanni (Algeria, Anderlecht), Mbaye Leye (Senegal, Zulte Waregem) and Belgium international Youri Tielemans (Anderlecht).

Past Nigerian winners of the award include ex-Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro, ex-Club Brugge striker Daniel Amokachi, Godwin Okpara and Victor Ikpeba.

The 26th winner of the Ebony Shoe will be announced on May 8 at a gala ceremony.

With 17 goals from 33 matches in all competitions, Onyekuru has averaged 0.52 goals per game in the current season.

Previous Winners:
1992 : Daniel Amokachi (Nigeria, FC Bruges)
1993 : Victor Ikpeba (Nigeria, RFC Liege)
1994 : Daniel Amokachi (Nigeria, FC Bruges)
1995 : Godwin Okpara (Nigeria, Alost)
1996 : Celestine Babayaro (Nigeria, Anderlecht)
1997 : Emile Mpenza (Belgium, Mouscron)
1998 : Eric Addo (Ghana, FC Bruges)
1999 : Souleymane Oulare (Guinea, RC Genk)
2000 : Nzelo Lembi (RD, FC Bruges)
2001 : Mido (Egypt, La Gantoise)
2002 : Moumouni Dagano (Burkina Faso, RC Genk)
2003 : Aruna Dindane (Ivory Coast, Anderlecht)
2004 : Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Anderlecht)
2005 : Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Anderlecht)
2006 : Mbark Boussoufa (Morocco, La Gantoise)
2007 : Mohamed Tchite (RD Congo, Anderlecht)
2008 : Marouane Fellaini (Belgium, Standard)
2009 : Mbark Boussoufa (Morocco, Anderlecht)
2010 : Mbark Boussoufa (Morocco, Anderlecht)
2011 : Romelu Lukaku (Belgium, Anderlecht)
2012 : Dieumerci Mbokani (DR Congo, Anderlecht)
2013 : Mbaye Leye (Senegal, Zulte Waregem)
2014 : Michy Batshuayi (Belgium, Standard Liege)
2015 : Neeskens Kebano (Congo, Charleroi)
2016 : Sofiane Hanni (Algeria, Mechelen)

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : as-eupen.be