Two Nigerian strikers, Victor Boniface and Gift Orban, have received nominations for the prestigious Ebony Shoe Award.

This award is presented annually to the best African or African-origin player in the Belgian Pro League, as voted by coaches of league clubs, the Belgium national team manager, sports journalists, and one or more honorary jurors.

Boniface has had an excellent season with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, registering eight goals and seven assists in the Jupiler Pro League. Meanwhile, Orban has been a force to reckon with since he joined the Buffalos in the January transfer window, scoring 11 goals and two assists in just 12 matches.

The Nigerian strikers will face tough competition from Genk’s Bilal El Khannouss, Joseph Paintsil, and Mike Tresor for the award. However, several Super Eagles players, including Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Celestine Babayoro, Godwin Okpara, and Paul Onuachu, have won the Ebony Shoe in the past.

The current holder of the award is Tarik Tissoudali, a winger from Gent. It remains to be seen who will win this year’s edition, but Boniface and Orban’s impressive performances this season make them strong contenders for the title.

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