ANFA 2023-2024: Every word Troost-Ekong said after receiving special award for Afcon performance

Super Eagles assistant captain, William Troost-Ekong has been recognized for his outstanding performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Taking to social media on Sunday, the Tottenham Hotspur academy product proudly announced that he received a special award from the African Nations Football Awards (ANFA) organizers for his standout performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Troost-Ekong was not physically present in Cairo on Saturday to collect the award due to national team commitments, so the award was received on his behalf by his his friend Omar Tarek.

The central defender was a key player for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, walking away with the TotalEnergies Best Player award and was named in the Team of the Tournament.

Reacting to being awarded a special prize for his AFCON performance at the African Nations Football Awards, Troost-Ekong appeared in a video message during the ceremony, stating: "Hello everyone, this is William Troost-Ekong, the captain of the Nigerian Super Eagles and player of Al-Kholood in Saudi Arabia. I want to just apologize for not being there today.

"Unfortunately I couldn't make it, I am in transit and I will be travelling to join the national team later today so I couldn't make it to the ceremony.

"I want to say a big thank you to everyone at ANFA Awards, first of all to be nominated and now from what I understand to have won the prize so it is a big honour for me.

"I have got my dear friend Omar who is there to receive the prize on my behalf. I wish you a wonderful evening and hopefully in the coming years, I will be able to attend there in person. Thank you so much everyone at ANFA Awards."

Troost-Ekong's skill and leadership at the back proved invaluable at the AFCON and he was also ready to take responsibility, scoring two goals from the spot in wins against Ivory Coast and South Africa, before netting with a header in the showpiece game against the Elephants to take his tally in the competition to three. 

The 31-year-old is the top scoring Nigerian defender in Africa Cup of Nations history with five goals to his name in three tournaments. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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