Despite losing 1-2 to Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria’s on-field captain, William Troost-Ekong has won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Ekong also made history as the first defender to score three goals in an Africa Cup of Nations edition.
Emilio Nsue, captain and striker for Equatorial Guinea, won the Golden Boot with five goals. The 34-year-old netted a hat-trick against Cote d’Ivoire Coast in the group stage, becoming the oldest player to achieve the feat in AFCON history.
Cote d’Ivoire hero and coach Emerse Fae won the best coach award while Simon Adingra scooped the Best Youn Player award.
South Africa’s Ronwen Williams secured the Best Goalkeeper award for his standout performance in the quarter-finals, saving four out of five penalties in the shootout against Cape Verde. His team also bagged the Fair Play award.
See full awards:
Best player
William Ekong (Nigeria)
Best Goalkeeper
Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Best coach
Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)
Best young player
Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire)
Top scorer
Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea), 5 goals
Fair play-South Africa.
