Examining CAF’s Decision: Troost-Ekong Excluded Despite AfCON MVP
Former Nigerian international Ifeanyi Udeze has expressed surprise and disappointment over the exclusion of Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong from the 2024 CAF Team of the Year.
Troost-Ekong, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), was notably absent from the list, sparking debate among football enthusiasts.
Udeze, speaking on the program “No Holds Barred” with Brila FM, questioned the criteria used for the selection, stating, “Troost-Ekong is the AFCON MVP; why isn’t he on the Africa Best XI? He doesn’t need a vote; his place should be automatic.”
The CAF Team of the Year was announced during the 2024 CAF Awards in Morocco, with Nigerian players Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman making the cut.
However, Troost-Ekong’s omission has raised eyebrows, especially considering his stellar performance in leading Nigeria to the AFCON final and scoring three goals during the tournament.
While Troost-Ekong has not publicly commented on his exclusion, he did take to social media to congratulate Ademola Lookman on winning the Player of the Year Award.
