All Awarded Players After AFCON Finals

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 came to an end yesterday with a thrilling final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The hosts Ivory Coast lifted their third AFCON title after a 2-1 comeback victory over the Super Eagles. The tournament saw some amazing performances from players across the continent. Here is a list of all the award winners who shone at the AFCON 2023.

Ecobank Best Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)

The South African captain was undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the tournament. The 32-year-old kept five clean sheets in seven matches. Williams led his side to the semis after saving four penalties against Cape Verde. He then made two saves to secure third place for the Bafana Bafana in the competition.

Air Côte d’Ivoire Fair Play Team Award: South Africa

South Africa also won the fair play team award for their sportsmanship and discipline on the field. They received only four yellow cards and no red cards in the entire tournament. They also showed respect and solidarity to their opponents and the referees.

Puma Golden Boot Winner: Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea)

The Equatorial Guinea captain scored goals in only two matches and finished as the top scorer in the tournament. After failing to score against Nigeria, Nsue netted a hat-trick against Guinea-Bissau in the second group game. He then added a couple against Ivory Coast to take his tally to five goals. Unfortunately, Guinea eliminated Nsue’s team in the Round of 16.

Puma Silver Boot Winner: Gelson Dala (Angola)

The Angolan striker was one of the revelations of the tournament. He scored four goals in four matches, including a brace against Tunisia in the group stage. He also scored the winner against Senegal in the Round of 16. Dala was a constant threat to the defenders with his pace and skill.

Puma Bronze Boot Winner: Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt)

The Egyptian forward also scored four goals in four matches, but missed out on the silver boot due to fewer assists. He scored in every group game, including a double against Algeria. He also scored the only goal against Morocco in the Round of 16. He was the main source of goals for the Pharaohs, who were knocked out by Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

TotalEnergies Man of the Competition: William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)

The Nigerian captain was on the losing side in the final, but added an individual trophy to his name. He scored three goals in the tournament and his side had the best defence. Ekong was judged as the best player in the tournament for his leadership, composure, and aerial ability.Despite finishing runners-up, Nigeria's captain William Troost-Ekong emerged as the tournament's best player. His leadership, defensive solidity, and crucial goals, including one in the final, earned him the prestigious award.

Best Young Player Award: Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast)

The 20-year-old midfielder was a key player for the champions Ivory Coast. He played in six matches and scored one goal. He also provided two assists, including the one for the winner in the final. Adingra impressed with his vision, creativity, and work rate.

Best Coach Award: Emerse Faé (Ivory Coast)

The former Ivory Coast international led his country to their third AFCON title in his first major tournament as a coach. He guided his team to six wins and one draw in seven matches. He also showed tactical flexibility and resilience, as his team came from behind in three matches to win. He became the youngest coach to win the AFCON at the age of 38.
I hope you like the article. Let me know if you need any changes or improvements.

A Tournament to Remember:

The 2023 AFCON witnessed exhilarating matches, captivating individual displays, and ultimately, a deserving champion in Cote d'Ivoire. Recognizing the outstanding contributions of individual players adds another layer to the narrative of this memorable tournament.