Biggest winners and losers from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Olúwagbemiga Odunukan Sports 12/02/2024

The Ivory Coast held 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ended in a victory for the hosts against the much inspired Super Eagles of Nigeria.

In its conclusion, News Round the Clock takes a look at some of the biggest winners and losers of the tournament.

Ivory Coast – Winners

The Ivorian national team had a tournament of complications. Despite their surreal run under Jean Louis Gasset in qualifying stages.

ALSO READ: Ivory Coast complete football’s beautiful story to be crowned continental champions

The tournament’s group stage presented a different challenge howbeit almost getting knocked out.

2023 Africa Cup of Nations winning team, the Elephants of Ivory Coast (source CAF online)

Rallying the troops in the knockout rounds, they got past defending champions Senegal, a late comeback win over Mali, routed Congo in the semi-finals and handed the Super Eagles of Nigeria a defeat in the final.

Emerse Faè’s tactical onus guided the Ivorians to their 3rd continental title and became the first host nation to retain the title in front of their fans since Egypt in 2006.

Mohamed Salah – Loser

The highly rated Liverpool forward picked up a tournament ending injury in his nation’s second group game.

Mohamed Salah going off injured in Egypt’s second group game against Ghana

The Africa Cup of Nations remains one missing from his very successful career and with age not on the side of the Egyptian skipper, he’ll wait at least an extra year to challenge for another.

The Egyptian national team, being the most successful in the continent, have found tough luck in the tournament since their last triumph in 2010.

William Troost-Ekong – Winner

The Greek based central defender came into the tournament having not previously featured across the qualification period.

William Troost-Ekong closely followed by Frank Onyeka and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi as he celebrates his Afcon final goal against Ivory Coast (Photo NGSuperEagles)

He skippered Nigeria for the entirety of the tournament. Leading the defence to the finals with four clean sheets and popping 3 goals himself.

ALSO READ: Afcon 2023 team of the tournament

At this tournament, he became the highest scoring defender in the history of the tournament.

Also becoming the first defender since Rigobert Song to cart home the tournament’s most valuable player.

This run of form has triggered interest from the Saudi Pro League and despite the damning final loss, the veteran defender can take some wins.

Victor Osimhen – Loser

SSC Napoli’s marksman Osimhen is the current Africa footballer of the year. Highly rated across world football, he stood the test to lead his nation to tournament glory.

An emotional Victor Osimhen receiving his silver medal at the trophy presentation of the 2023 Afcon (Photo NGSUPEREAGLES)

His opener against Equatorial Guinea kept his side in the game, won the game winning penalty against Ivory Coast and put up decent outings in the remainder games.

Tough luck saw him end the tournament with just one goal and having three more ruled out. Marshaled by Evan N’dicka and Odilon Kossounou of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, he had a much quieter final.

The departure of Luciano Spalletti over the summer has put Napoli in a difficult place this season. The forward will be looking to get his head up and lead his club side as they salvage what’s left of the season.

Sebastièn Haller – Winner

The Ivorian top man beat cancer just over a year ago and has been back to active football.

Ivory Coast’s final match winner Sebastien Haller of Borussia Dortmund (source CAF online)

Coming into the tournament nursing an earlier injury, Haller gradually worked his way back to full fitness.

ALSO READ: Sebastian Haller: From cancer patient to AFCON finalist

His neatly taken finish sent the Elephants to the final stage at the expense of DR Congo. The Borussia Dortmund forward declined a winter transfer move to Fulham as he wanted to be fully focused on the AFCON.

In the most beautiful of scripts, he latched on to Simon Adingra’s cross in the 81st minute with a deft touch to put the match winner behind Stanley Nwabali’s goal.

Senegal – Losers

The Terenga Lions arrived the shores of Abidjan as arguably the tournament’s favourites. Picking up all the available nine points in the group phase, they looked to be enroute in defending their trophy.

Players of the Senegalese national team in training (Source Football Senegal)

A shocking knockout tie affair saw them concede a late Franck Kessie penalty and consequently fall to Ivory Coast in the penalty shootouts.

A potential last tournament for the bulk of Senegal’s Golden generation, Aliou Cisse failed at the chance to defend their title. Recall, no side has achieved this feat since Egypt’s three peat between 2006-2010.

Stanley Nwabali – Winner

Narrowly losing out to South African colleague Ronwen Williams in the race to the tournament’s golden gloves, the Chippa United shot-stopper had a tournament to remember regardless.

Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and CAF president Patrick Motsepe in an embrace at full time of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (via NGSUPEREAGLES)

From not having a starting spot to eventually becoming the country’s first choice, he racked up four clean sheets in a row, the penalty shootout hero against South Africa and important saves all around.

While not having a final to remember, the goalie has become a cult hero amongst Nigerian fans and must hope the highs of the tournament set him on course for an healthier career on the long run.