The AFCON 2023 delivered its verdict on Sunday, February 11, with Côte d'Ivoire claiming the 3rd title. Full of surprises, this 34th edition also brought many players to the fore. Find out more about the players who came to the fore during this major African soccer event.
Simon Adingra, best young player at AFCON 2023
Côte d'Ivoire won its 3rd Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday February 11, bringing to a close an emotional competition. A continental event that saw a number of players come to the fore. Sport News Africa takes a look at some of the talents who lit up this 34th edition.Simon Adingra, symbol of the Elephants' renaissance
Simon Adingra, a young 22-year-old striker, surprised everyone by becoming one of the main architects of Côte d'Ivoire's triumph. Like his team, he came into his own in the knockout stages. Against Senegal (1-1, 4-5 Pen) in the Round of 16, he made a dazzling entrance before being directly involved in the Ivorians' semi-final qualification against Mali (1-2). After coming on as a substitute, he scored the equaliser in the 90th minute. The Brighton striker was never out of the starting 11 until the final. Man of the match in the final, he also finished as the competition's best young player.
The talent himself. 🌟
Of course, it’s Simon Adingra who gave his team the #AssistOfTheDay! 🏅#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023Final pic.twitter.com/RAs3subGlC
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 12, 2024
The guardian angel Emerse Faé
Assistant to Jean Louis Gasset at the start of the AFCON, the Ivorian technician was thrust into the limelight after the Frenchman's resignation.Emerse Faé succeeded in remobilizing the Elephants and taking them all the way to the final. He won the final in front of his home crowd. It's more than a fairy tale," he says, "I still can't believe we've done it, when I think of everything we've been through. We're miraculous, we went and got it, the cup, because we never gave up. We fought to the bitter end and came through the tough times," said the interim coach after the final.
William Troost-Ekong, the Super Eagle takes flight
Best player of the AFCON, the Nigerian defender has shown great defensive solidity and unstoppable leadership. He is the symbol of this Super Eagles team, very robust and disciplined. An unrivalled collective that came into its own after the first match against Equatorial Guinea (1-1).William Troost-Ekong (3 goals) was there from start to finish.
Emilio Nsue, golden boot
At the age of 34, Emilio Nsue became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Equatorial Guinean striker made history not only with this hat-trick, but also by finishing top scorer (5 goals). With him, Equatorial Guinea was one of the sensations of this 34th edition. The defeat inflicted on Côte d'Ivoire (4-0) will go down in history.
Teboho Mokoena, intelligence in motion
Despite missing two penalty kicks (against Nigeria in the semi-final and DR Congo in the third-place play-off), the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder's talent made the tournament sublime. Technically at ease, he was at the heart of Bafana Bafana's game. He made it easy to get the ball out and was a real asset offensively. He was responsible for the wonderful free-kick against Morocco in the Round of 16 (0-2).
Ronwen Williams, like a spider
The South African goalkeeper was not necessarily expected, but he was there. Ronwen Williams, 32, shocked the world in the penalty shoot-out. Against Cape Verde, he saved 4 shots. An African Cup of Nations record. He repeated the feat in the third-place play-off against DR Congo.Bafana Bafana stopped 2 shots to help his team to 3rd place.
Lamine Camara, the Lion roars to life
Thrown into the deep end from the outset, the Senegalese nugget wasted no time in confirming the expectations pinned on him. In his first match at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Metz midfielder scored twice, including a superb curling effort from the edge of the penalty area. He followed this up with a solid performance against Cameroon (3-1) in the second match.Lamine Camara also put in a fine performance against Côte d'Ivoire, although he stopped in the 8th minute.
Gelson Dala, the Angolan gunner
He came very close to winning the Golden Shoe at this year's AFCON. 27-year-old striker Gelson Dala led the Angolan team well. With 4 goals and an assist, he made his opponents dream and dizzy. Unfortunately, they came to an end in the quarter-finals against Nigeria. He finished as the competition's second-highest scorer.
