SUPER Eagles of Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong got some sort of consolation tonight as he was named the Player of the Tournament of the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The PAOK centre-back was not overjoyed with his award as it was announced moments after his side lost 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire in the final at the Alassane Outtara Stadium in Abijdan.
Troost-Ekong was the standout player as the Super Eagles progressed to the final, scoring three goals and converting his penalty in the shootout in the semi-final victory over South Africa.
The 30-year-old scored from the penalty spot in the 1-0 win over Cote d’Ivoire in the group stages and repeated the same in the quarter-final victory over Angola, which the Super Eagles won by the same margin.
He then netted with a header tonight in the final before Cote d’Ivoire came from behind to win their third AFCON title before 60,000 ecstatic fans.
The former Watford star has become the first Super Eagles player to win the Player of the Tournament award since Austin Jay Jay Okocha at the 2004 edition in Tunisia.
South Africa’s Ronwen Williams was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament following his heroics for Bafana Bafana, including saving four penalties during the shootout win over Cape Verde in the quarter-finals and keeping five clean sheets in seven games.
Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea won the Golden Boot for top scorer with his five goals, while South Africa’s Bafana Bafana claimed the Fair Play award.
