Nigeria international and Genk forward Paul Onuachu has won the 2021 Ebony Shoe award following his exploits in the Belgian Pro League this season.
The lanky striker saw off competition from Club Brugge’s Clinton Mata (Angola) and Genk’s Theo Bongonda (DR Congo) to the prize to succeed Dieumerci Mbokani – who plays for Royal Antwerp.
Onuachu was in a blistering form this campaign with the Smurfs – inspiring them to a second place finish in the Belgian top-flight behind winners Club Brugge.
The 26-year-old found the net on 33 occasions in 38 league outings, amid other dazzling displays.
His eye-catching performances also saw him win the 2020-21 Belgian League Player of the Year and winner of the Golden Boot award.
With this feat, he becomes the fifth Nigerian to claim the prize after Daniel Amokachi (1992 and 1994), Victor Ikpeba (1993), Godwin Okpara (1995), and Celestine Babayaro (1996).
Onuachu has two years left on his current contract, but he is unsure about seeing out the deal, with a number of European clubs believed to be interested in his services.
“For me, you never know what the future holds but I think scoring a lot of goals this season for KRC Genk and of course my career is going to be one of the most important periods for me,” Onuachu told the club’s YouTube channel.
“It is going to be difficult to say I’m going to repeat it where I am going but I think the players we have in this team really make all this possible for me, but like I said earlier you don’t know what the future holds.
