By James Copnall BBC Sport, Brussels

Anderlecht striker Aruna Dindane has won the Ebony Boot as the top African player in Belgium.

Dindane was favourite for the award

Ivorian Aruna heard his name called out in a lively ceremony in a Brussels hotel - and admitted he had been very nervous.

"I hardly managed to eat beforehand," Aruna joked.

"But I am delighted to win this award, which has been won by so many great players."

Celestine Babayaro, Daniel Amokachi and Mido are some of the names already engraved on the stylish trophy, which was created 12 years ago by African students who were tired of deserving African players being overlooked in mainstream Belgian awards.

Aruna may be an exception, however: he is also in the running for the Belgian Player Of The Year award.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the season he has had, the 22-year-old felt his trophy was merited.

"I think I deserve it, at least in part," he told the BBC.

"I have had a pretty good season. And even though I was suspended at the beginning, I was able to get back into the team and play pretty well."

It has not been a prolific season for Aruna in terms of goals - he has scored just eight in the league - but his all-round play has been spectacular.

Young Guinean Sambegou Bangoura finished second, and Sierra Leone's Paul Kpaka took third spot.

The award is voted for by coaches from Belgium's top three divisions.