AFCON 2023: Five Super Eagles
Stars Who Shone Despite Final
Heartbreak
Nigeria's Super Eagles captivated
audiences at the 2023 Africa Cup
of Nations with a resilient
campaign, ultimately falling to
hosts Côte d’Ivoire in a dramatic
final. Despite the heartbreak,
their journey to the final, which
saw them go unbeaten in six
games, was a remarkable
achievement. Amidst the
collective effort, five players
particularly distinguished
themselves, proving instrumental
to Nigeria's deep run in the
tournament.
Captain William Troost-Ekong
emerged as the defensive
bedrock of the Super Eagles. His
commanding presence anchored
a backline that conceded just
two goals before the final and
secured four clean sheets.
Troost-Ekong also showcased his
offensive prowess, converting
crucial penalties against Côte
d’Ivoire and South Africa,
equalling Stephen Keshi’s record
as Nigeria’s joint-highest-scoring
defender at AFCON. His leadership
and consistent performances
made him a strong contender for
the tournament’s Best Defender
award [Soccernet Media Limited].
While Victor Osimhen may not
have netted as many goals as
anticipated, his impact was
undeniable. The Napoli striker
was a constant threat, utilizing
his physicality, pressing, and
intelligent movement to create
opportunities. He won key
penalties, provided a crucial
assist against Cameroon, and
consistently drew defenders,
creating vital space for his
teammates. With three goals
disallowed by VAR and an
unmatched work rate, Osimhen
solidified his role as a true team
player.
Stanley Nwabali transitioned
from relative obscurity to a
national hero. The Chippa United
goalkeeper delivered calm and
commanding performances,
especially during the knockout
stages. His man-of-the-match
display against South Africa in
the semifinals, featuring crucial
saves and two penalty stops, was
a defining moment of AFCON
2023. Nwabali concluded the
tournament as one of the
continent’s most promising
goalkeepers.
Ademola Lookman's debut AFCON
campaign was exceptional. The
Atalanta forward was Nigeria’s
top scorer with three crucial
goals and an assist. Beyond his
statistics, Lookman's energy,
discipline, and defensive
contributions highlighted his
evolution into a well-rounded
team player. In a demanding
tactical system, Lookman proved
to be one of the tournament’s
standout attackers.
Finally, Frank Onyeka diligently
filled Wilfred Ndidi’s shoes,
providing grit, balance, and steel
to Nigeria’s midfield. The
Brentford midfielder led the team
in interceptions and ranked
second in tackles won. His
tireless running, intelligent
positioning, and ability to disrupt
opposition play were pivotal to
Nigeria’s success throughout the
tournament.