Moroccan full-back Zakaria El Ouahdi has been crowned the winner of the prestigious Ebony Shoe for the 2025/2026 season, edging out Algerian midfielder Adem Zorgane and Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge. This annual award honors the best African player—or player of African origin—in the Belgian Pro League, and El Ouahdi's victory marks a significant milestone for Moroccan football.

El Ouahdi becomes the third Moroccan to claim the Ebony Shoe, following in the footsteps of Mbark Boussoufa, who won it three times (2006, 2009, and 2010), and Tarik Tissoudali, who took the honor in 2022. His win also extends Genk's dominance in the award, giving the club back-to-back Ebony Shoes after current Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare's triumph last season.

It's no surprise that El Ouahdi is generating transfer buzz. The 24-year-old has been a revelation from defense this season, netting an impressive 12 goals and adding four assists in 41 appearances across all competitions. For a full-back, those numbers are nothing short of remarkable, and they underline why he's considered one of the most exciting young talents in Belgian football.

Genk, however, face an uphill battle to keep their star. While the club is still fighting for European qualification, even a spot on the continental stage may not be enough to retain El Ouahdi's services. To secure a Conference League berth, Genk must first win play-off two, then defeat the team finishing fourth or fifth in the champions play-offs (depending on the cup final result). It's a tall order, and with El Ouahdi's stock rising fast, a summer move seems almost inevitable.