'Can play for Man City, Arsenal' - Ex-Gunner Djourou tips Adingra to outshine Super Eagles stars in AFCON final

Former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou is backing Ivory Coast to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of Nigeria and reckons that Brighton & Hove winger Simon Adingra could be the standout player in Sunday's showpiece at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.

Djourou is showing support for the Elephants for obvious reasons - he was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast though he went on to play international football for Switzerland, representing them in three World Cups.

A versatile defender, Djourou has a mentor-mentee relationship with Simon Adingra and played with him at Danish club FC Nordsjaelland. 

Adingra missed the start of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to a hamstring injury he was recovering from but has now returned to fitness and played a key role in the Elephants win over Mali in the quarterfinals, netting right at the death to take the game to extra-time. 

Djourou revealed that Adingra has the attributes needed to play for a big club including Arsenal and Manchester City.

"Simon is the typical young guy that wants to learn. It was never a question on if he was going to make it, it's just to give him the platform to do it. It's hard to put a limit on what he can do," he said to the BBC World Service.

"For me he's one of those that can easily play in the next few years for (Manchester) City or Arsenal or those kind of teams  because he's so talented and has very great personality. He works, wants to be better everyday"

When asked if Adngra could be the star in the AFCON final, Djourou answered: "I hope so but the thing is we should not forget that he arrived here injured.

"From where he's coming from with that injury, it's already good, good things he's doing. Could he be the star in the final? If his fitness allows him I'm sure he'll be."

Adngra faced FC Midtjylland academy products Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika during his time in Denmark with  FC Nordsjaelland and played against Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey in this season's Premier League. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: FIF

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