AFCON 2023 Best Player of Tournament Contenders: Nwabali, Troost Ekong Lead


The 2023 AFCON Best Player of the Tournament is set to ignite debate
The two finalists are most likely to produce the winner after Sunday's game
Sports Brief looks at some of the leading contenders as things stand


The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is on its homestretch with Nigeria and the hosts Ivory Coast the remaining teams to battle it out for the title.


Nigeria beat a troublesome South Africa in the penalty shoot-outs while Ivory Coast saw off DR Congo to set up a repeat of the group stage clash, which the Super Eagles won.

Any player will tell you that the collective honours come first as most of them target their first silverware in national team colours. However, after the February 11 final, CAF will fete a couple of players individual honours.

AFCON Golden Ball winners
Top of the bunch will be the best player of the tournament, who will be given the Golden Ball. A quick check by Sports Brief shows that players whose teams have won the title are always in good standing to win the award.

Losing finalists have also, in the past, won the award, with Christian Atsu (Ghana 2015) and Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso 2013) being the most recent examples. There have been three cases of bronze medalists winning the award: Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria 2004), Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia 1996), and Hassan El-Shazly (Egypt 1963).

We have only had two cases of a player whose team finished fourth being declared the best player of the tournament - Aziz Bouderbala (Morocco 1988) and Laurent Pokou (Ivory Coast 1970). No player has ever won the award if his team didn't reach the semi-finals.


Holders Senegal remain team to beat after spectacular AFCON group stage

Holders Senegal remain team to beat after spectacular AFCON group stage
AFCON 2023 Best Player candidates
In light of the above, it is safe to assume that a player from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, South Africa or DR Congo will be in line to replace Sadio Mane. Sports Brief looks at the leading contenders ahead of the Sunday final.

5. Victor Osimhen - Nigeria
The reigning African Player of the Year hasn't scored as much as he would have liked to, but he has been instrumental nonetheless in Jose Peseiro's approach.


The Napoli forward incessant work rate has won Nigeria two penalties, provided an assist and scored once. A lifetime performance in the final could propel him to the award.

4. Franck Kessie - Ivory Coast
After initially being dropped by interim manager Emerse Fae for the clash against Senegal, the former Barcelona man has returned to the fold to be the leading light of the Elephants.


Ivory Coast's pathetic group-stage campaign will work against him, but his displays against Senegal (off the bench), Mali and DR Congo (Man of the Match) put him in good standing among all the Ivorian players.

3. Ademola Lookman - Nigeria
Despite Ademola Lookman missing a couple of decent opportunities, he is still the leading goalscorer of the remaining teams.

With three goals to his name, the Atalanta forward can bridge the gap between him and the topscorer Emilio Nsue in the final game. Zambia's Christopher Katongo was the last player to win both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball.


2. Stanley Nwabali - Nigeria
You will have to go back to 1968 when DR Congo's Kazadi Mwamba became the first and only goalkeeper to date to win AFCON's best player award.

Nwabali has demanded that Nigerian and African football fans take cognizance of him with impeccable goalkeeping. He leads the goalkeepers in clean sheets. His two saves in the shoot-out against South Africa helped his side progress.


So much for someone who had 'not been tested' before.

1. William Troost-Ekong - Nigeria
Leader. Captain. Goalscorer.

In tournaments like these, all the plaudits tend to go to the goalscorers and marquee stars. But Troost-Ekong has redefined Nigeria's campaign, sitting in the middle of Peseiro's three-man defence. They have only conceded twice in the whole tournament, one from the penalty spot.


Up front, he has scored two penalties, both in critical times, to keep his country's quest for a first AFCON title since 2013 going. If Nigeria beat Ivory Coast on Sunday and Troost-Ekong has another decent game, it is hard to see why he shouldn't win the award.

Cameroon great Rigobert Song is the last defender to win the award.

Other mentions
The aforementioned players must have a really pathetic game in the final for a South African player, or DR Congo have a look-in at the award. In the unlikely case, it happens, Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena have been outstanding for Bafana Bafana, while Chancel Mbemba has led from the front for Fimbu.

Sebastien Haller, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, AFCON 2023, Stanley Nwabali, William Troost-Ekong,



https://sportsbrief.com/football/58619-afcon-2023-player-tournament-contenders-nwabali-troost-ekong-lead/

Dear CAF,


It won't be out of place if you give the Player Of The Tournament to a goalkeeper.... And I feel Stanley Nwabali deserve that gong.


Also, a special recognition to South Africa's shot stopper, Williams, Equatorial Guinea Captain, Emiliano Nsue and Ivory Coast coach.

Wonderful performance.

So guys

Who do you think should win the best player of this year AFCON 2023 and why

Victor Osimhen..... Nigeria
Ademola Lookman.. Nigeria
Sebastien Haller....Cote d ivore
Stanley Nwabali....Nigeria
William Troost-Ekong,...Nigeria
percy tau ...... South Africa
Emiliano Esue..... Equatorial Guinea

For me, it's Ekong, Nwabali, Osimhen and Lookman in that order. 1,2,3,4 Naija

No stand out performer so far, the best player should come from the team that wins the final.

Bluntguy:
For me, it's Ekong, Nwabali, Osimhen and Lookman in that order. 1,2,3,4 Naija

Why

I still do not understand how Sadio Mane won the award in the previous edition.

I think Ekong is well positioned to win the award, man has been a rock in the defence with outstanding displays.

Should be given to the best performer.

Best player will most likely come from Finalists, Nigeria or Ivory Coast.

The 2 players in our squad I would feel their absence most are Nwabali & Osimhen.
So they are Nigeria's top contenders for the award.

If Nigeria wins the final without conceding a goal, I will prefer the award be given to Nwabali

robosky02:


Why

What

Victor Osimhen will win it
After he scores and hattrick in the finals
And the Super Eagles of Nigeria lifts the trophy
Y'all will see it tomorrow

I gave it to ekong. He is great player and a leader

Ok give the Keeper or Troost...

Best player is Osimhen abeg. Man has been selfless not selfish to win golden boot. He's the reason we get to this final and other team work tea.
So for me. I'll give it to Osimhen

Nwabali go win am hands down

robosky02:


Why

Lol because he hates any name that sounds igbo 😂😂😂

My own list

Nwabali
Ekong
Frank onyeka
Calvin bassey
Ola aina
Lookman
Oshimen

G

bewla:
G

Space booker

Ekong or Nwabali should be given..


They balled well....

Ola Aina deserve player of the tournament award

Ekong for the midafvcking award biko . That guy has been a rock in that our defense.........I strongly believe he's one of the few souls that can defend our present economy from crumbling at this moment :

Nice one, we have our lads in the top.

Nwabeis sure taking the goalkeeper of the tournament. Anything less than that is injustice

My heart wants nwabali to win but my head tells me ekong would win if Nigeria have a decent day against ivory coast.

Lookman is ahead of any other person.

Meanwhile to you all,
Learn to forgive. Do yourself that favour always.

Forgiveness is a demonstration of the nature of God. It is an act of obedience.
It involves you not thinking about the offence and just forgetting about whatever transpired. If you keep thinking about the issue, you will find it very difficult to forgive.

If you don't forgive, your heart and emotions will be caged and the person you are harbouring unforgiveness about will be walking freely and may not even be aware of your unforgiveness.

Forgive so God can also forgive you.

Matt.6.14 - "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

robosky02:
AFCON 2023 Best Player of Tournament Contenders: Nwabali, Troost Ekong Lead


The 2023 AFCON Best Player of the Tournament is set to ignite debate
The two finalists are most likely to produce the winner after Sunday's game
Sports Brief looks at some of the leading contenders as things stand


The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is on its homestretch with Nigeria and the hosts Ivory Coast the remaining teams to battle it out for the title.


Nigeria beat a troublesome South Africa in the penalty shoot-outs while Ivory Coast saw off DR Congo to set up a repeat of the group stage clash, which the Super Eagles won.

Any player will tell you that the collective honours come first as most of them target their first silverware in national team colours. However, after the February 11 final, CAF will fete a couple of players individual honours.

AFCON Golden Ball winners
Top of the bunch will be the best player of the tournament, who will be given the Golden Ball. A quick check by Sports Brief shows that players whose teams have won the title are always in good standing to win the award.

Losing finalists have also, in the past, won the award, with Christian Atsu (Ghana 2015) and Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso 2013) being the most recent examples. There have been three cases of bronze medalists winning the award: Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria 2004), Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia 1996), and Hassan El-Shazly (Egypt 1963).

We have only had two cases of a player whose team finished fourth being declared the best player of the tournament - Aziz Bouderbala (Morocco 1988) and Laurent Pokou (Ivory Coast 1970). No player has ever won the award if his team didn't reach the semi-finals.


Holders Senegal remain team to beat after spectacular AFCON group stage

Holders Senegal remain team to beat after spectacular AFCON group stage
AFCON 2023 Best Player candidates
In light of the above, it is safe to assume that a player from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, South Africa or DR Congo will be in line to replace Sadio Mane. Sports Brief looks at the leading contenders ahead of the Sunday final.

5. Victor Osimhen - Nigeria
The reigning African Player of the Year hasn't scored as much as he would have liked to, but he has been instrumental nonetheless in Jose Peseiro's approach.


The Napoli forward incessant work rate has won Nigeria two penalties, provided an assist and scored once. A lifetime performance in the final could propel him to the award.

4. Franck Kessie - Ivory Coast
After initially being dropped by interim manager Emerse Fae for the clash against Senegal, the former Barcelona man has returned to the fold to be the leading light of the Elephants.


Ivory Coast's pathetic group-stage campaign will work against him, but his displays against Senegal (off the bench), Mali and DR Congo (Man of the Match) put him in good standing among all the Ivorian players.

3. Ademola Lookman - Nigeria
Despite Ademola Lookman missing a couple of decent opportunities, he is still the leading goalscorer of the remaining teams.

With three goals to his name, the Atalanta forward can bridge the gap between him and the topscorer Emilio Nsue in the final game. Zambia's Christopher Katongo was the last player to win both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball.


2. Stanley Nwabali - Nigeria
You will have to go back to 1968 when DR Congo's Kazadi Mwamba became the first and only goalkeeper to date to win AFCON's best player award.

Nwabali has demanded that Nigerian and African football fans take cognizance of him with impeccable goalkeeping. He leads the goalkeepers in clean sheets. His two saves in the shoot-out against South Africa helped his side progress.


So much for someone who had 'not been tested' before.

1. William Troost-Ekong - Nigeria
Leader. Captain. Goalscorer.

In tournaments like these, all the plaudits tend to go to the goalscorers and marquee stars. But Troost-Ekong has redefined Nigeria's campaign, sitting in the middle of Peseiro's three-man defence. They have only conceded twice in the whole tournament, one from the penalty spot.


Up front, he has scored two penalties, both in critical times, to keep his country's quest for a first AFCON title since 2013 going. If Nigeria beat Ivory Coast on Sunday and Troost-Ekong has another decent game, it is hard to see why he shouldn't win the award.

Cameroon great Rigobert Song is the last defender to win the award.

Other mentions
The aforementioned players must have a really pathetic game in the final for a South African player, or DR Congo have a look-in at the award. In the unlikely case, it happens, Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena have been outstanding for Bafana Bafana, while Chancel Mbemba has led from the front for Fimbu.

Sebastien Haller, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, AFCON 2023, Stanley Nwabali, William Troost-Ekong,



https://sportsbrief.com/football/58619-afcon-2023-player-tournament-contenders-nwabali-troost-ekong-lead/

If nig wins, it will go to Nigeria, if civ wins, it will go to them

I give it to musa for his humility and cheerleading spirit . Always wearing his bim even though it doesn't looks good on him .
Musa the best non-playing captain/asst coach .

give it to senior man nacho

Nwabali first, then Osimhen.

I don't think Lookman should win it ahead of Osimhen on the basis of the 3 goals he scored. My take

Dikaveli:
My own list

Nwabali
Ekong
Frank onyeka
Calvin bassey
Ola aina
Lookman
Oshimen

Onyeka ahead of Lookman and Osimhen? Na play?

Ivory coast no suppose get am since they didn't perform in group stage!

Nigeria suppose get am!