2023 AFCON Awards: Ronwen Williams The Best Goalkeeper

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was a marvel to watch, with plenty of surprises. The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations drawn to a close in fine style last night at the majestic Alassane Ouattara Stadium after Cote d’Ivoire came from behind to clinch third AFCON title against Nigeria.

Throughout the tournament, fans got a treat of beautiful football, and the World was exposed to immense African talent. It was one tournament no one knew who was going to win, underdogs rose to the occasion to claim recognition in African football and the World.

There were outstanding performances that were impossible to go unnoticed, Bafana Bafana’s impressive performance earning them a bronze medal, in addition to finishing third in the competition, Bafana Bafana’s bronze medal is accompanied by the Fair Play Air Cote d’Ivoire Team, and Ivory Coast 3rd place qualification to the last 16 and went all the way to win it.

Equally so there were individuals who carried their teams to the victory. Nigeria defender and captain William Troost-Ekong led from the front, Bafana Bafana Captain Ronwen William commanded the last line of defence, and the youngsters took centre stage to showcase their talent.

Emilio Nsue, captain and striker for Equatorial Guinea, claimed the Golden Boot with five goals. The 34-year-old netted a hat-trick against Cote d’Ivoire Coast in the group stage, becoming the oldest player to achieve the feat in AFCON history.

Cote d’Ivoire hero and coach Emerse Fae won the best coach award while red hot on form Simon Adingra who assisted both goals against Nigeria in the final scooped the Best Young Player award.

Siphamandla Lindwa

Siphamandla Lindwa is a sports writer and a publisher for Bet Central at Bet.co.za. He obtained a B-Tech in Sports Management from Tshwane University of Technology. When not writing sports content, Sipha scouts talent and networks for his future Sports Management agency.