Cercle Brugge’s Kévin Denkey has won this year’s Ebony Boot award. The Ebony Boot is an award presented each year to the best footballer of African descent playing in the Belgian Frist Division (The Jupiler Pro League). On becoming the 33rd winner of the Ebony Boot Kévin Denkey said that “It is a privilege to be honoured and rewarded”.
He added that "This means a lot to me, particularly when you see which other players were nominated. They spurred me on during the whole season and I would like to thank them. It is also thanks to them that I have performed so well this season”.
Kevin Denkey is currently the top scorer in the Jupilier Pro League with 27 goals to his name. However, he says that his goal tally could easily have been 35.
"This season I have learned to play with my teammates and have learned how they play. This has made a lot of things easier. I also won’t forget the coach who gave me his trust straight away when he took over. This was at a time when I wasn’t playing much. I have worked and progressed. I thanks to my coach and my teammates, because I would be nothing without them”.
First Togolese winner
The Cercle Brugge striker is the first ever Togolese winner of the Ebony Boot. Kévin Denkey told journalists that "I am very proud and I dedicate this trophy to Togo”. He also dedicated the trophy to his mother who died recently.
The top 5
1. Kévin Denkey (Cercle Brugge)
2. Mohamed Amoura (Union Sint-Gillis)
3. Bilal El Khannouss (KRC Genk)
4. Aboubakary Koita (Sint-Truiden)
5. Mandela Keita (Antwerp)