Nigerians will be delighted with the achievement of former coach José Peseiro for winning silver at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire despite facing injury challenges before the tournament.
But a standout performer of that tournament who was voted best player of the tournament has been exempted from the last five of the CAF Player of the year nominees.
Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong who captained Nigeria to win silver while also being named player of the tournament has been exempted in the last five of the nominees for the continent’s biggest individual awards.
Ekong scored three goals at the tournament as a defender as well as one of the penalties against South Africa in the semi-final that led Nigeria to the final.
The defender, despite playing with pains kept three clean sheets en route to the silver medal but was not deemed fit for the last five of the award.
Meanwhile, Ekong’s National team mate Ademola Lookman who was terrific for Nigeria in the tournament has been listed.
Lookman is tipped by bookmakers as the favourite for the award after leading his Serie A side Atalanta to the 2024 UEFA Europa League triumph.
Lookman scored a glorious hat-trick in the final to end Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run while also winning man of the match in the final, goal of the tournament, listed in the team of the tournament and also Atalanta’s player of the season.
Other nominees for the award in the last five categories include Morocco’s Archraf Hakimi, Brighton and Holve Albion winger Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams who is also nominated for the goalkeeper of the year.
The awards ceremony will be held in Morocco where the draws for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in due course.
