Despite Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Cote d’Ivoire in the final, Troost-Ekong’s powerful header showcased his exceptional performance throughout the tournament.

He emerged as the highest-scoring defender, netting three goals while anchoring Nigeria’s defense, which conceded just one goal from open play en route to the final.

Additionally, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams received the best goalkeeper award, while Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue clinched the top goal scorer title with five goals.

Simon Adingra, at 22 years old, was honored as the best young player, and Cote d’Ivoire’s interim coach, Emerse Faé, received the best coach award. Lastly, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana secured the Fair Play award.

Ronwen Williams – South Africa

South Africa

Emilio Nsue – Equatorial Guinea (5 goals)

Gelson Dala – Angola (4 goals)

Mostafa Mohamed – Egypt (4 goals)

William Troost-Ekong – Nigeria

Simon Adingra – Ivory Coast

Emerse Faé – Ivory Coast

Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has said his players were not at their best in Sunday’s defeat to Cote d’Ivoire.

Peseiro’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat to the hosts in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking at a press conference after the match, Peseiro stated that his players failed to replicate their previous performance in the competition.

He said: “My players did their best in this tournament, Cote d’Ivoire played better than us in this game. We didn’t show our level.

“The performance on individual and collective level was not good enough for us.

“Cote d’Ivoire played better than us. They played really well. I wanted to win this trophy, my players wanted the trophy as well. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t do it.

“I’m sad, my players are sad too. The performance was not good enough but I can’t fault them. They gave their best in this tournament.

“These things happen in football. Sometimes things don’t go your way.”