Tolu Arokodare targets better season with Genk...or elsewhere after Ebony Shoe nod

Super Eagles and KRC Genk forward Tolu Arokodare aims to uphold his contract with the Belgium side as he drives for an even better season after bagging the 2024/25 Ebony Shoe Award in Belgium.

Tolu, who is part of the Super Eagles squad called up by head coach Éric Chelle to be part of the upcoming Unity Cup in London, made this known while speaking in an interview on TVC News.

The 24-year-old forward expressed the significance of the award which had been held by fellow Nigerian legends in the past like Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Celestine Babayaro, among others. Arokodare said that the award means a lot as it gives his team something to celebrate.

"It's amazing to me, to my family, to my career, to my hometown where I grew up and also to my team. It feels nice to win something after having a tough couple of games and our title hopes were gone. It's just something that leads to celebration."

When asked about his remarkable season and what lies ahead for him in his career, the modest Nigerian forward said the aim is to do better than last season with Genk as he has a contract to uphold, but he didn't fully shut the door on transfer options.

"I'm still here. Me, teammates and the staffs we are all looking forward to the next season.

"Looking forward to having a better season than this current one. So that's what I am focused on, being a Genk player I have the contract to respect and I do respect. Whatever happens, whatever comes my way it's good for me if it's good for the club then we will decide at that point."

Tolu also added that when the time comes for him to bid farewell to the club and Belgium football, he would like to be remembered for more than just his ability on the pitch at Genk.

"I would like to be remembered as a player who was himself from the start to the end. I would like to be remembered not just for my goals but for my personality, for the excitement I brought to the league and my seasons in Genk."

The Nigerian forward scored 21 goals in the Jupiler Pro League, making him the second leading goal scorer in the competition. He also provided 5 assists in the league.

This award makes him the seventh Nigerian player to win the Ebony Shoe, joining a list of Super Eagles legends like Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Godwin Opara, Celestine Babayaro and Paul Onuachu.