'That little burst of pace to beat Aina' - Pundit hails CIV dazzler Adingra for game-winning assist in AFCON final

Whoscored.com pundit Jonathan Wilson was full of praise for Brighton & Hove's Ivorian winger Simon Adingra after his brilliant performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast.

One of the rising stars of Ivorian football, Adingra assisted both goals as the Elephants came from behind to beat the Super Eagles in the final of the AFCON on February 11.

Without doubt, the key duel that decided the outcome of the final was on the right wing where the usually reliable Ola Aina faced off with Adingra and it was a battle that Super Eagles defender lost. 

The Brighton & Hove talent was unplayable with his dribbles, runs and crosses causing problems for the Nigeria defence.

Frank Kessie restored parity in the 62nd minute when he headed in a corner from Adingra to cancel out William Troost-Ekong's first half opener. 

And in the 81st minute, Adingra dribbled past Ola Aina before sending a delightful cross to  Sebastian Haller who scored the game-winning goal.

Speaking on Whoscored's Edge of the Box, Wilson said: "Adingra's pace and directness, the first assist in the final was a corner, his deliveries from corners were good as soon as they started letting him take them which happened midway through the semifinal and the delivery improved.

"That little burst of pace to beat Ola Aina and then put in a cross for Haller to get the winner. He'd been doing that sort of thing all game so he's a great talent.

"He's got great pace, he's a good deliver of the ball and he can finish."

Adingra has picked up where he left off by scoring a brace for the Seagulls in their 5-0 rout of Sheffield United in a Premier League game on Sunday. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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