[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-zakaria-el-ouahdi-claims-ebony-shoe-as-belgian-pro-league-s-top-african-origin":61,"news-related-zakaria-el-ouahdi-claims-ebony-shoe-as-belgian-pro-league-s-top-african-origin-en":97,"news-related-match-zakaria-el-ouahdi-claims-ebony-shoe-as-belgian-pro-league-s-top-african-origin-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-38,-21,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":63,"category":64,"excerpt":65,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":66,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":70,"slug":71,"sourceName":72,"sourceURL":73,"teamId":74,"teamName":75,"teamIds":76,"teamNames":86,"title":96},"Racing Genk defender Zakaria El Ouahdi has won this season's Ebony Shoe, the prize awarded annually to the best player of African birth or heritage in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League. The right-back emerged victorious ahead of Union Saint-Gilloise pair Adem Zorgane and Promise David.\n\nFirst presented in 1992, the Ebony Shoe has grown into one of Belgian football’s most respected individual distinctions. It places a spotlight on the African diaspora’s influence in the league, with previous recipients ranging from powerful strikers to creative midfielders and, occasionally, defenders like El Ouahdi.\n\nThe outcome places a defensive specialist in the limelight—a rarity for an award often skewed toward attackers. El Ouahdi’s selection signals a recognition of the vital defensive work that often goes unnoticed, rewarding his consistency and tactical intelligence over the course of the season.\n\nAt Genk, El Ouahdi cemented his role as an indispensable piece of the starting eleven. His capacity to handle both the defensive responsibilities and contribute to transitions made him a standout in the right-back position, drawing praise from teammates and opponents alike.\n\nThe competition for the latest edition reflected the depth of African talent currently thriving in Belgium. Adem Zorgane, Union’s midfield orchestrator, impressed with his passing and composure, while Promise David contributed firepower in the final third. Both were credible candidates, making El Ouahdi’s win all the more noteworthy.\n\nThe voting process, conducted by a panel of journalists and former professionals, reportedly saw a close contest. El Ouahdi’s sustained excellence throughout the entire campaign likely proved the difference, as he avoided the dips in form that can accompany a long season.\n\nAt only 24, the full-back has now placed himself among the league’s elite. The award typically acts as a springboard for higher-profile moves, with several past winners later joining top European clubs. For El Ouahdi, it marks a career milestone that could open new doors.\n\nThe impact of such recognition extends beyond the individual. For Racing Genk, it reinforces the club’s reputation for developing and showcasing talent from diverse backgrounds. The club’s academy and recruitment have long been a blueprint for success in Belgium’s competitive landscape.\n\nMoreover, the Ebony Shoe continues to highlight the essential role African players play in the Jupiler Pro League’s global appeal. In a championship that serves as a stepping stone for many, this award brings deserved attention to the continent’s contribution.\n\nAs the footballing world reacts to the announcement, Zakaria El Ouahdi’s name now joins an esteemed list of icons. While the future remains unwritten, one thing is certain: his standout season at Racing Genk has been rightfully crowned with a prestigious piece of silverware.\n\nBased on reporting from HLN:sport.","news","Racing Genk full-back Zakaria El Ouahdi earns the Ebony Shoe, edging out Union SG’s Adem Zorgane and Promise David to claim the prize as the Jupiler Pro League’s top African-origin player.","327188205927403521","326135624576798720","Jupiler Pro League","0","2026-05-04T20:19:00Z","zakaria-el-ouahdi-claims-ebony-shoe-as-belgian-pro-league-s-top-african-origin","HLN Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hln.be\u002Fbelgisch-voetbal\u002Feen-bekroning-voor-zijn-topjaar-bij-racing-genk-zakaria-el-ouahdi-wint-de-ebbenhouten-schoen~a5afe4ce\u002F","326222707504975872","Genk",[74,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85],"326257575404244992","326257761337741312","326257696737071104","326222711401484288","326257604382691328","326222707169431552","326222713142120448","326257545754710016","326257554411753472",[75,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95],"Vanløse","Vanspor FK","Diaspora","Belgium","GOES","Anderlecht","Canada","Newcastle","Newcastle Jets","Zakaria El Ouahdi Claims Ebony Shoe as Belgian Pro League’s Top African-Origin Player",[98,132,157,176],{"awayTeamId":99,"awayTeamName":100,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":101,"homeTeamId":102,"homeTeamName":103,"id":104,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":105,"matchName":106,"publishedAt":107,"slug":108,"sourceName":109,"sourceURL":110,"teamId":111,"teamName":112,"teamIds":113,"teamNames":122,"title":131},"326222707618222080","Dender","Leverkusen hires Kotsifakis as U19 coach; ex-Hertha mentor to target Eichhorn. He'll also oversee loaned youth, hinting at a strategic hire.","326222707249123328","Zulte Waregem","337909035816718337","327052421572333568","Zulte Waregem vs Dender","2026-06-04T08:41:40Z","kotsifakis-joins-leverkusen-u19-what-it-means-for-eichhorn","Kicker","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kicker.de\u002Feichhorn-foerderer-kotsifakis-wird-co-trainer-der-leverkusener-u-19-1225150\u002Fartikel#omrss","326257534396534784","Bayer Leverkusen",[111,102,99,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,82],"326257800931971072","326222711682502656","326257580877811712","326257590281441280","326257638348165120","326255040920555520","326222712076767232","326257600737841152",[112,103,100,123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,92],"Hertha BSC","England","Mito Hollyhock","New England Revolution","Tenerife","Beitar Jerusalem","Germany","Junior","Kotsifakis Joins Leverkusen U19: What it Means for Eichhorn",{"awayTeamId":99,"awayTeamName":100,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":133,"homeTeamId":102,"homeTeamName":103,"id":134,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":105,"matchName":106,"publishedAt":135,"slug":136,"sourceName":109,"sourceURL":137,"teamId":138,"teamName":139,"teamIds":140,"teamNames":148,"title":156},"Paderborn secured their third top-flight promotion with a playoff win over Wolfsburg, sparking wild scenes and a 'hospital' remark. Here's why it matters.","334489248772132865","2026-05-25T22:22:42Z","paderborn-seals-3rd-bundesliga-return-with-hospital-quote","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kicker.de\u002Fekstase-in-paderborn-ich-bring-den-auch-ins-krankenhaus-1222780\u002Fartikel#omrss","326257781562675200","Auch",[138,102,99,141,142,116,143,144,145,146,147,82,83],"326257536145559552","326257556525682688","326257613454970880","326257630680977408","326257801309458432","326257534237151232","326257534329425920",[139,103,100,149,150,125,151,152,153,154,155,92,93],"Rennes","Instituto Cordoba","Renaissance Berkane","Beroe","SC Paderborn 07","VfL Wolfsburg","Borussia Dortmund","Paderborn Seals 3rd Bundesliga Return with Hospital Quote",{"awayTeamId":99,"awayTeamName":100,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":158,"homeTeamId":102,"homeTeamName":103,"id":159,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":105,"matchName":106,"publishedAt":160,"slug":161,"sourceName":109,"sourceURL":162,"teamId":163,"teamName":164,"teamIds":165,"teamNames":170,"title":175},"Heidenheim's second-top scorer Marvin Pieringer has a release clause expiring 30 June. With 4 goals, 3 assists, he could exit after relegation.","334270661486710785","2026-05-25T07:54:22Z","pieringer-exit-clause-what-it-means-for-heidenheim-rebuild","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kicker.de\u002Fausstiegsklausel-bis-ende-juni-wohin-zieht-es-heidenheims-pieringer-1220555\u002Fartikel#omrss","326257534589472768","1. FC Heidenheim",[163,102,99,138,166,116,167,168,82,83,169],"326255039712595968","326257599160782848","326257630509010944","326257536372051968",[164,103,100,139,171,125,172,173,92,93,174],"Başakşehir","Istra 1961","Vitosha Bistritsa","Metz","Pieringer Exit Clause: What It Means for Heidenheim Rebuild",{"awayTeamId":99,"awayTeamName":100,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":177,"homeTeamId":102,"homeTeamName":103,"id":178,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":105,"matchName":106,"publishedAt":179,"slug":180,"sourceName":109,"sourceURL":181,"teamId":182,"teamName":183,"teamIds":184,"teamNames":192,"title":200},"Mauro Lustrinelli, the 'mastermaker', is set to sign as Union Berlin's new head coach in the coming hours, bringing a winning pedigree to the Bundesliga club.","332845921148604417","2026-05-21T07:12:24Z","union-berlin-lustrinelli-set-to-become-coach-what-it-means","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kicker.de\u002Funmittelbar-vor-der-unterschrift-thuns-meistermacher-lustrinelli-wird-union-coach-1221450\u002Fartikel#omrss","326257534648193024","Union Berlin",[182,102,99,119,185,186,187,188,189,190,191,82,83],"326257534430089216","326257556173361152","326257568773050368","326257602625277952","326222711825108992","326257615275298816","326257769613103104",[183,103,100,128,193,194,195,196,197,198,199,92,93],"Eintracht Frankfurt","Tigre","Vorskla Poltava","FC Eindhoven","Switzerland","FC Thun","Capital","Union Berlin: Lustrinelli Set to Become Coach, What It Means"]