Mbwana Ally Samatta has been recognised as the best African Player or player of the African origin for the 2018/19 season in Belgium.
The award dubbed Ebony Shoe Award has previously been won by current Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, former Everton and Manchester United midfielder Maroune Fellain as well as United striker Romelo Lukaku.
The Tanzanian was rewarded for his exploits with KRC Genk where he has so far scored 23 league goals as well as three in the UEFA Europa League for the club.
He becomes the first player from the CECAFA region to claim the award since 2007 when Burundian Mohammed Tchite won it while featuring for Anderlecht.
Elsewhere, South Africa’s Percy Tau was also voted the Best Player in the Belgium second Tier after impressing in his first season with Union Saint-Gilloise which he joined on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Bafana Bafana star joined the English Premier League side from Mamelodi Sundowns.
About the Ebony Shoe Award
It is a football award in Belgium given annually to the best African or African origin player in the Belgium Pro League.
Its decided by coaches of league clubs, the Belgium National Team Coach sport journalists, and honorary juror(s).
Morocco’s Mbark Boussoufa (3 wins), Nigerian Daniel Amokachi and Kompany who has roots in DR Congo have won it more than once.
It was established in 1992 with DR Congo (10 times) producing the most winners of this award.