Despite scoring 19 goals and contributing three assists in the 2021/22 season in the Belgium Jupiler League, Nigeria and Genk forward, Paul Onuachu, has modestly said he doesn’t see himself winning the Belgian Golden Shoe in January, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Belgian Golden Shoe is the award given to the best player in the Belgian Pro League.
In the 2020/21 season, Onuachu scored an astonishing 33 goals as Genk finished second place in the Jupiler League but the Super Eagles forward was rewarded for his effort as he claimed the Golden Shoe award, becoming the first African player to claim the prestigious award.
With a new winner set to be announced in January, the 28-year-old has tipped former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to win the Belgian Golden Shoe in January.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper led his Club Brugge side to the 2021/2022 Belgian Pro League title, he kept 16 clean sheets in that campaign, the joint most in the league.
He has continued the form this season as well, with six clean sheets, the third-best in the league.
In an interview with Voetbal 24 ahead of the next award ceremony in January, Onuachu said he was not the favourite to win the prize but added that Mignolet had done enough to win the award.
“I think Simon Mignolet has to win it. He has had a very good year and is an excellent goalkeeper. There is no doubt about that, he would be the deserved winner,” Onuachu was quoted as saying.
“He saved a lot of points for Club Brugge. There is also Tarik Tissoudali from AA Gent who has a chance, I think. Although I fear for him that his knee injury will affect his final result too much.
“I don’t think I will make it myself. If I get on the podium, I think it will be second or third.”
Onuachu has been in fine form so far this season before the World Cup break and has scored 13 goals in 14 matches; he will however hope to continue with his impressive display when action resumes on Monday as Genk face KV Kortrijk away from home.
