Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has been crowned the best player of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) rolls out awards to deserving players.
Troost-Ekong scored three goals in the tournament as he led Nigeria to a second-placed finish at the AFCON.
South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams won the award of the Goalkeeper of the tournament after his heroics to power the Bafana Bafana to a third-placed finish.
Equatorial Guinea’s Emilo Nsue, who right from the group stage nicked 5 goals. got the Golden Boot award.
Cote D’Ivoire coach Emerse Fae won the coach of the tournament after leading his side to AFCON glory.
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa, however, won the Fair Play award.
AFCON Awards 2023 Full List
Best Goalkeeper
Ronwen Williams – South Africa
Fair Play Team award
South Africa
Golden Boot winner
Emilio Nsue – Equatorial Guinea (5 goals)
Silver Boot winner
Gelson Dala – Angola (4 goals)
Bronze boot winner
Mostafa Mohamed – Egypt (4 goals)
Man of the competition
William Troost-Ekong – Nigeria
Best Young Player award
Simon Adingra – Ivory Coast
Best Coach award
Emerse Faé – Ivory Coast
AFCON 2023 Winner: Ivory Coast
Hosts Ivory Coast won the trophy following some early challenges in the campaign. They staged a stunning comeback to defeat Nigeria 2-1 in the competition’s final. Franck Kessie and Haller scored goals for the winning team.
The Super Eagles’ score sheet included William Troost-Ekong.
AFCON 2023 Runners-up: Nigeria.
The Nigeria’s Super Eagles finished as runners-up. After taking the lead in the first half, Nigeria struggled to maintain possession of the ball and were constantly tested by Ivory Coast’s onslaught.
AFCON 2023 Third Place: South Africa
Ronwen Williams’ exploits secured third place for the Bafana Bafana. They won the penalty shootout over DR Congo.