AFCON 2023: Nigeria’s Troost-Ekong makes Africa history against Ivory Coast

By Wale Mustapha

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has set a new African record as the defender with highest goal in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations following his goal in a 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on Sunday.

The PAOK Saloniki centre back was a trojan in Eagles’ defense all through the tournament as he led the three times winners through the final.

He registered three goals in the competition, scoring his country’s last goal against the Elephants.

Ekong has previously find back of the net against Ivory Coast in the group stage before scoring against South Africa in the semi final.

The 30-year-old’s first AFCON goal came in 2019 when he scored the winner to earn the Super Eagles 2-1 win over Bafana Bafana.

He went on to score against Guinea-Bissau in the 2-0 win at the 2021 edition in Cameroon.

He led the team’s rear guard at the just concluded event will go down as one of the best in tournament history.