Super Eagles captain William-Troost Ekong won the 2023 AFCON Best Player Award following his immense contributions to the progress of the Super Eagles in the tournament.
Playing as a defender, the Poak Thessaloniki center-back was integral to Jose Peseiro's squad throughout the tournament. Ekong scored three AFCON goals for the Super Eagles. He scored the match-winner against Ivory Coast in the group stages of the tournament through the spot.
He scored another spot-kick in the semi-final clash against South Africa and a header in the final against Ivory Coast.
Ekong set a new record in Nigeria's national team becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON for Nigeria with 5 goals. Ahead of the final against Cote D'Ivoire, he matched the record which was held by the late Stephen Keshi by netting his 4th AFCON goal against South Africa.
Ronwen Williams wins the Best Goalkeeper Award
South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was honored with the best goalkeeper award in the tournament. The Chippa United shot-stopper was thrust into the spotlight when he saved four spot-kicks against Cape Verde in the semi-final of the tournament. Williams became the first goalkeeper in FIFA recognized tournament to save four penalties.
Away from his shoot-out heroics, the 32-year-old Bafana Bafana captain kept five clean sheets at the tournament.M, conceded 3 goals, and made 20 saves to keep a stunning 86.96% save rate in his 7 games for the Bafana Bafana.
Simon Adingra wins Young Player of the Tournament Award
Ivory Coast and Premier League youngster Simon Adingra was honored with the Young Player of the Tournament Award following his heroics on the right wing for the Elephants throughout the tournament.
Adingra shared in the group stage deadlock for the Ivoriens before picking up his game in the knockouts. The Brighton right winger had three goal contributions of one goal and two assists in the tournament.
He was pivotal to the Elephant's triumph in the final against Nigeria. The 22-year-old put up an impressive performance throughout the game. He provided the two assists that led to the dramatic comeback against the Super Eagles in the final.
Emerse Fae wins Best Coach Award
Ivory Coast interim manager Emerse Fae achieved a feat for the ages with the Elephants. Fae proved a point with just three matches in charge of the team after the sack of Louis Gasset. He transformed the fortunes of the team in a flash from a struggling Group A team on the brink of elimination to title winners. Fae won his knockout matches, including the final against Nigeria to win the AFCON trophy.
Emilio Nsue wins Golden Boot Award
Equatorial Guinea captain Emilio Nsue bagged the Golden Boot award as the highest goalscorer in the tournament. Nsue scored five goals in his four matches in the tournament for Equatorial Guinea.
Ivory Coast defeat Nigeria to win the 2023 AFCON
Nigeria lost their 8th AFCON final, settling for a 2-1 defeat against Ivory Coast. William-Troost Ekong had put the Super Eagles ahead with a brilliant header in the first half before Ivory Coast fought back with two second-half goals to overturn the game and win their third AFCON trophy.
The Elephants bounced back from a near-deadlock in the group stages to win the tournament.
Playing as a defender, the Poak Thessaloniki center-back was integral to Jose Peseiro's squad throughout the tournament. Ekong scored three AFCON goals for the Super Eagles. He scored the match-winner against Ivory Coast in the group stages of the tournament through the spot.
He scored another spot-kick in the semi-final clash against South Africa and a header in the final against Ivory Coast.
Ekong set a new record in Nigeria's national team becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON for Nigeria with 5 goals. Ahead of the final against Cote D'Ivoire, he matched the record which was held by the late Stephen Keshi by netting his 4th AFCON goal against South Africa.
Ronwen Williams wins the Best Goalkeeper Award
South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was honored with the best goalkeeper award in the tournament. The Chippa United shot-stopper was thrust into the spotlight when he saved four spot-kicks against Cape Verde in the semi-final of the tournament. Williams became the first goalkeeper in FIFA recognized tournament to save four penalties.
Away from his shoot-out heroics, the 32-year-old Bafana Bafana captain kept five clean sheets at the tournament.M, conceded 3 goals, and made 20 saves to keep a stunning 86.96% save rate in his 7 games for the Bafana Bafana.
Simon Adingra wins Young Player of the Tournament Award
Ivory Coast and Premier League youngster Simon Adingra was honored with the Young Player of the Tournament Award following his heroics on the right wing for the Elephants throughout the tournament.
Adingra shared in the group stage deadlock for the Ivoriens before picking up his game in the knockouts. The Brighton right winger had three goal contributions of one goal and two assists in the tournament.
He was pivotal to the Elephant's triumph in the final against Nigeria. The 22-year-old put up an impressive performance throughout the game. He provided the two assists that led to the dramatic comeback against the Super Eagles in the final.
Emerse Fae wins Best Coach Award
Ivory Coast interim manager Emerse Fae achieved a feat for the ages with the Elephants. Fae proved a point with just three matches in charge of the team after the sack of Louis Gasset. He transformed the fortunes of the team in a flash from a struggling Group A team on the brink of elimination to title winners. Fae won his knockout matches, including the final against Nigeria to win the AFCON trophy.
Emilio Nsue wins Golden Boot Award
Equatorial Guinea captain Emilio Nsue bagged the Golden Boot award as the highest goalscorer in the tournament. Nsue scored five goals in his four matches in the tournament for Equatorial Guinea.
Ivory Coast defeat Nigeria to win the 2023 AFCON
Nigeria lost their 8th AFCON final, settling for a 2-1 defeat against Ivory Coast. William-Troost Ekong had put the Super Eagles ahead with a brilliant header in the first half before Ivory Coast fought back with two second-half goals to overturn the game and win their third AFCON trophy.
The Elephants bounced back from a near-deadlock in the group stages to win the tournament.