Morocco’s Zakaria El Ouahdi crowned Africa’s best in Belgium

Zakaria El Ouahdi has underlined Morocco’s growing influence in European football after emerging as the best African in Belgium’s top flight, securing the prestigious Ebony Shoe for the 2025/2026 season.

The Ebony Shoe recognises the best African or African-origin player in the Belgian Pro League, and El Ouahdi’s consistency with KRC Genk made him a clear frontrunner.

The 24-year-old full-back edged out strong competition from Adem Zorgane and Raphael Onyedika, both of whom enjoyed impressive campaigns. However, El Ouahdi’s attacking output from defence proved decisive in a season where he regularly influenced matches at both ends of the pitch.

His triumph places him among an elite group of Moroccan winners, joining Mbark Boussoufa and Tarik Tissoudali as the only players from the North African nation to claim the honour.

Boussoufa famously lifted the award three times, while Tissoudali’s success in 2022 signalled Morocco’s continued production of high-level talent. El Ouahdi now adds a new chapter to that legacy.

Genk’s dominance in recent editions of the award is also reinforced, with the club producing back-to-back winners following the success of Tolu Arokodare last season. The recognition reflects the club’s ability to develop and showcase African talent on a competitive European stage.

El Ouahdi’s numbers highlight why he stood out. Operating primarily as a defender, he contributed 12 goals and four assists across 41 appearances, an exceptional return that blurred the line between defensive duty and attacking threat. His ability to drive forward, combined with positional discipline, made him one of the league’s most complete performers.

With such form, interest from larger European clubs is expected to intensify ahead of the summer transfer window.

Even if Genk secure a route into continental competition through the demanding play-off system, retaining El Ouahdi appears increasingly unlikely as his profile continues to rise.