Did Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong Deserve to Win AFCON Player of the Tournament?

African football fans are divided over the awards that were given at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, especially the Player of the Tournament category that was won by William Troost-Ekong, the standout player for Nigeria’s Super Eagles who continuously scored penalty kicks throughout the tournament.
The debate flared after the West African player won the award, despite Nigeria losing to Ivory Coast in the final of the tournament. Some fans say an Ivorian player should have been crowned best player. Among the candidates mentioned were Simon Adingra and Franck Kessié.

[@ola...o1009]

Bad judgment Ivory Coast lost 2 games One was 4 nil. Giving a player of the tournament to a teammate that lost 2 of their 3 group stage games is ridiculous They have Mozambique & Morocco to thank, else they would’ve been knocked out if it weren’t a 24 team tournament CAF got it 100% correct from the best goalie, best young player and man of the tournament Troost Ekong only made one visible error and it was in the final. How many defenders have 4 goals in a short tournament of 7 games. Modric was 2018 World Cup player of the tournament. Diego Forman won in 2010. That’s an individual brilliance performance award not the trophy

[@kepler798]

Messi won 2014 world cup mvp despite Germany clinching the trophy

[@kosokojoy1615]

❤❤ William Troost Ekong.The award was well deserved.

[@aniefiok1338]

Congratulations ivorian, Congratulations to Ekong, Congratulations Nwabali and Congratulations to the Super Eagles! The rest is story.

[@kepler798]

Wow Americans watch football 😮

[@DavidEmmanuel-hx6ms]

Ekong was more effective in that tournament

[@JohnJ-np3cw]

Opotoyi

[@ezenwankwoekene8273]

Adingra 😂😂

[@fredeokolo8717]

Good judgement

[@Darkmountaindweller]

Mbappe should have won best player instead of Messi ! And he deserved it over Messi

[@emmanueletuk199]

This was a very bad analysis. I'm surprised. Did you guys really watch the AFCON? If you did, that means you were not paying attention to details. How could someone say Troost-Ekong shouldn't have been given the MVP but to Kessie or the Ivorian winger? Sickening!!! MVP is awarded after assessing all the matches played, not one match, the final. I mean, the Ivorians were woeful in the group stage. Please don't forget that they played Nigeria twice. Troost-Ekong put up an all-around star performance in both matches, and Nigeria won the first match. Troost-Ekong put up a star performance throughout the tournament. Please VOA, know the quality of analysts you use. This is just advice.