AFCON MVP William Troost-Ekong reacts to CAF Player of the Year nomination

Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong, the 2023 AFCON Most Valuable Player (MVP), expressed his excitement after being shortlisted for the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.

Shortly after the announcement, Troost-Ekong shared the nomination graphic on his social media handle with a simple caption: “HONOURED.”

Troost-Ekong’s nomination comes as recognition of his outstanding performance during Nigeria’s journey to the AFCON final, where the Super Eagles narrowly lost to Ivory Coast.

Nigerian Stars Lead the Race for Top Honour

Both William Troost-Ekong and Ademola Lookman have been included in the final shortlist for the prestigious award, giving Nigeria hope of securing the title for the second consecutive year.

Following Victor Osimhen’s historic win in 2023—becoming the first Nigerian to earn the award in 25 years—Troost-Ekong and Lookman now have the chance to continue Nigeria’s recent success on the continental stage.

Lookman Favourite for CAF Player of the Year

Ademola Lookman is widely tipped as the front-runner for the award, thanks to his impressive performances for both Atalanta and Nigeria.

Lookman made history by scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final, leading Atalanta to their first-ever European title.

The winger also played a crucial role in Nigeria’s run to the AFCON final, cementing his status as one of Africa’s top players.

His stellar form has already earned him a Ballon d’Or nomination, mirroring Osimhen’s achievements and making him a strong contender for this year’s CAF Player of the Year award.

Troost-Ekong’s Leadership Recognised

Troost-Ekong also enjoyed a standout year, highlighted by his MVP performance at the 2023 AFCON, where he scored two goals and captained Nigeria to the final. His leadership on and off the pitch earned him a well-deserved spot among the top African footballers.

Other Nominees Competing for the Award

Troost-Ekong and Lookman will face stiff competition from other notable African stars, including:

• Simon Adingra – AFCON final hero
• Ronwen Williams – South Africa
• Achraf Hakimi – Morocco
• Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund

The CAF Player of the Year award ceremony is scheduled to take place on 16 December 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco.