Troost-Ekong named AFCON player of the tournament

William Troost-Ekong has been named the best player of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

The Super Eagles captain scored a powerful header in the final as Nigeria lost 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire.

Troost-Ekong is the highest-scoring defender in the competition, scoring three goals as Nigeria made the AFCON final for the first time since 2013.

He was the backbone of a stingy Nigerian defence that conceded just one goal from open play en route to the final.

🌟 William Ekong 🌟

Ladies & gentlemen, we present you the TotalEnergies 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 🇳🇬

Incredible run with his nation concludes with the silver medal! 🥈 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/c6qyxP6Em1

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— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 11, 2024

South Africa’s Ronwen Williams was adjudged the best goalkeeper in the tournament. The Mamelodi Sundown shot-stopper saved four penalties in a quarter-final against Cape Verde.

Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue finished as the competition’s top goal scorer with five strikes despite crashing out in the second round.

Gelson Dala of Angola and Egypt’s Mostafa Mohamed won the silver and bronze boots, respectively.

The 22-year-old Simon Adingra was also named best young player of the tournament. He provided two assists in the final match.

Emerse Faé, the interim coach of Cote d’Ivoire, was also named the best coach in the tournament.