AFCON 2023: William Troost-Ekong named Best Player of the Tournament

• Super Eagles stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong has been named the Best Player of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
• Troost-Ekong was in the Nigerian team that lost 2-1 to hosts Cote d'Ivoire in the final of the competition.

Despite Nigeria's loss, the Confederation of African Football has found Troost-Ekong deserving of the Man of the Tournament award.

Troost-Ekong scored three goals at the 34th edition of the continental championship, including Nigeria's consolation goal against the Ivorians in the final.

The PAOK defender grabbed his first goal of the tournament against the Elephants on matchday two, netting from the spot to guide the Super Eagles to a narrow victory.

The former Watford man scored his second goal also from the spot in the 1-1 draw against South Africa in the semifinals before Nigeria triumphed in the penalty shootout.

The 30-year-old defender has registered five goals overall at the Africa Cup of Nations to become the highest-scoring defender in the competition's history.

Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea forward Emilio Nsue finished as the top scorer of AFCON 2023, while South Africa's Ronwen Williams was named the tournament's Best Goalkeeper.