Former Nigerian international Ifeanyi Udeze has openly criticized CAF for excluding Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong from the 2024 CAF Team of the Year.
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Troost-Ekong delivered a standout performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
He also scored Nigeria’s only goal in their 2-1 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire during the final, further solidifying his position as one of the tournament’s top players.
Speaking on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred, Udeze expressed disbelief at the omission, emphasizing that Troost-Ekong’s inclusion in Africa’s best XI should have been guaranteed.
“Troost-Ekong is the AFCON MVP; why isn’t he on the Africa best XI?” Udeze questioned. “He doesn’t need a vote; his place should be automatic.”
The decision to overlook Troost-Ekong has sparked widespread debate, with many agreeing that the defender’s achievements in the competition warranted recognition on the prestigious list.