Super Eagles stand-in captain William Troost Ekong has been named the Player of the Tournament for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after leading Nigeria to a second placed finish.

The Eagles skipper beat the likes of Sebastian Haller, Frankie Kessie, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and a host of others to the award.

Aside from leading Nigeria to a runner-up finish, he was also part of the top scorers in the competition, finishing with three goals in seven games while also helping the Eagles keep four clean sheets.

Troost-Ekong showed exemplary leadership for the Nigerians on and off the pitch and will be disappointed his goal in the final was not enough to win them the game.

Eagles keeper Stanley Nwabali, who also had an outstanding tournament, narrowly lost the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award to South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. Bafana Bafana also won the Gair Play Team of the competition.

Other awardees include Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, who won the tournaments Young Best Player award. Emerse Fae also won the Coach of the Tournament award after leading the Ivorians to their third AFCON trophy despite taking the role after the group stages.