CloseEd Dove is a writer and scout who has a deep and enduring passion for African sport, politics and literature. Instagram: @EddyDove22, Facebook: @EddyDoveAfrica
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Africa Cup of Nations hero Simon Adingra marked his return from international duty with Ivory Coast by scoring twice in a match for the first time in his senior career, capping a remarkable fortnight for the Brighton youngster.
Ivory Coast teammate Oumar Diakité was also among the goals, scoring for the first time since his unforgettable intervention against Mali, and Jordan Ayew paid an emotional tribute to former Crystal Palace coach Roy Hodgson as the Eagles travelled to Everton.
Ahead of Saturday's meeting with Sheffield United in the English Premier League, Adingra received a hero's welcome back to the Amex Arena. He was given a guard of honour by his Brighton & Hove Albion teammates on Friday, when he was draped in the Ivorian flag, and greeted club supporters who had been allowed in to the ground to celebrate the youngster's achievement.
Adingra wasn't in former Ivory Coast manager Jean Louis Gasset's starting XI at the commencement of the Africa Cup of Nations, but he became one of the key protagonists as the Elephants completed an unthinkable tournament run for replacement head coach Emerse Faé.
The 22-year-old, who had five international caps before the AFCON kicked off, netted the late equaliser to keep the hosts alive vs. Mali in the quarterfinals, forced his way into the starting XI, and registered both assists as the Ivorians came from behind to defeat Nigeria in the final.
He was duly named Young Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football, and described the final as "one of the most beautiful moments" of his life.
Simon Adingra made an immediate impact on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring two goals as Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Sheffield United 5-0 in the English Premier League. James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images"The tournament was in my country, so it was very special for me and for my family also," Adingra told Brighton's official media handle. "It was crazy, because from the beginning we were almost out of the tournament but we were able to come back and win the trophy. That was special."
Adingra vowed to show Seagulls fans what he could do, in light of his stock rising on home soil, and he didn't disappoint against the Blades.
Brighton were already 3-0 up, with the game comfortably won, when Adingra added some extra shine to the result.
He was lively on Brighton's right flank throughout -- attempting nine crosses -- and added the fourth goal after he was picked out by Pascal Groà with 12 minutes to play.
He then scored Brighton's fifth goal, in the 85th minute, with a shot that took a significant deflection to complete the rout.
Adingra has scored six goals for Brighton this season -- five off his league return in 2022-23 with Union St.-Gilloise in Belgium -- and only five African players have scored more in the Premier League this season.
"This is my first [brace] since I started my career, so I'm so happy and hopefully there's more to come," Adingra said. "It's been good.
"I came from Africa as an African champion, then I scored two goals. I can't imagine more than that."
Brighton are seventh in the Premier League standings, six points behind Manchester United in sixth, but Adingra, fuelled by self-belief after the Nations Cup, is confident the Seagulls can secure UEFA Champions League qualification.
"We lost our last game against Tottenham Hotspur, so the target was to win to get our confidence back," he said. "The plan is top five. It's not going to be easy, but anything can happen."
Le « Wourou Wourou » Oumar Diakité accueilli comme il se doit par les joueurs du Stade de Reims après son triomphe à la CAN avec la Côte d'Ivoire.