By Amaechi Agbo
Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong was named the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2023 est Player following the conclusion of the tournament in Abidjan, Ivory Coast o Sunday.
Host, Ivory Coast came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 in the night but despite the defeat, the defender went home with the best individual award following is impressive performance
With the curtains officially closed on the tournament, CAF awarded the best performers of the tournament.
Author of Cote d’Ivoire’s two assists in the final, Simon Adingra (22) was named the Man of the Match for the final.
Despite not finishing at the summit as champions, Nigerian captain, William Troost-Ekong walked away with the Best Player award.
Equatorial Guinea danger man, Emilio Nsue Lopez walked away with the PUMA Golden Boot award for his 5 goals that saw him top the goal scoring charts of the competition.
Bafana Bafana shot-stopper, Ronwen Williams was voted the Ecobank Best Goalkeeper for his heroics with the bronze medalists which includes a record four penalty saves against Cape Verde and another two against DR Congo.
In addition to finishing third in the competition, Bafana Bafana’s bronze medal is accompanied by the Fair Play Air Cote d’Ivoire Team
South Africa, in addition to third place in the general classification, receives the Fair Play award.
The winner’s trophy which was brought on by Togolese football legend, Emmanuel Adebayor was presented by Cote d’Ivoire President, His Excellence Alassane Ouattara alongside CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President, Gianni Ingantino to Cote d’Ivoire skipper, Max Gradel.
The ceremony also included the official handing over of the CAF Flag to the Royal Moroccan Federation to signify the handing over of the hosting reigns to the country for the competition set to take place in 2026.
Here is the complete winners list for the AFCON, Ivory Coast 2023
AFCON Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Winners List:
Winner: Cote d’Ivoire
Finalist: Nigeria
Third: South Africa
Fourth: Democratic Republic of Congo
Best Player: William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)
Puma Golden Boat: Emilio Nsue Lopez
Ecobank Best Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Air Côte d’Ivoire Fair-Play Team: South Africa
The 35th edition of the continental football showpiece will hold next year in Morocco.
