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February 12, 2024 Sports Gist Football 0

‘What a player’ – Ex-Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder lauds Brighton winger after match-winning performance in AFCON final

Former Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien has hailed Brighton & Hove Albion winger Simon Adingra after his match-winning performance for Ivory Coast in last night’s (February 11) African Cup of Nations final.

The 22-year-old set up both goals as the Elephants came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 to win the tournament on home soil.

Defender William Troost-Ekong had Nigeria supporters dreaming when he headed the Super Eagles ahead on 38 minutes.

But Franck Kessié levelled for the hosts on 62 minutes after the former FC Barcelona and AC Milan midfielder was left unmarked at the back post from Adingra’s corner.

And ex-West Ham United striker Sébastien Haller completely a fairytale turnaround with nine minutes to go.

The 29-year-old, who returned to football just six months after overcoming testicular cancer, got a toe to Adingra’s devilish cross to secure the Ivorian’s third African Cup of Nations title.

Adingra was named Best Young Player of the 2023 AFCON after the game – and was also singled out for praise by Ghana legend Essien, who won nine majors honours at Chelsea.

Posting on X, Essien said: “What a player, Felicitation mon @simon.adingra”.

Albion fans will be hoping Adingra will be able to replicate his form for the Ivory Coast when he returns to England in the coming days.

The winger has eight goal contributions in 23 games for the Seagulls this season.

The Ivorian attacker joined Brighton for around £7m from Nordsjælland in 2022 and spent last term on loan at Royale Union St-Gilloise in Belgium.

 

SOURCES: SERIE A WONDERKID MAKES CONTRACT DECISION AFTER ARSENAL AND LIVERPOOL OFFERS

AC Milan starlet Francesco Camarda is set to shun offers from Premier League clubs in order to sign his first professional deal next month.

The 15-year-old, who has already made his debut for Milan’s first-team, has offers from around Europe – but Camarda, his family and representatives have told Milan he is staying with them and he will sign a contract with them when he turns 16 in March.

Camarda has a three-year deal in place, but Milan have had to battle to keep hold of one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe.

HITC understands that Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all put offers to Camarda along with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Real Madrid – but Camarda has made it clear he is staying at the San Siro.

Who is AC Milan wonderkid Francesco Camarda?

Camarda hails from Milan and started his career as a youngster with G.S.D. Afforese, a club based just a 20-minute drive away from Milan’s famous San Siro home.

Milan pounced to sign Camada in 2015, spotting his talent at the age of just seven – and he had a rather surprising start to his football career.

Camarda initially started out as a defender but has pushed forward as a centre forward having impressed with his attacking abilities.

The hype really started to build in 2022 as outlets such as Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that Camarda had racked up more than 400 goals since starting his Milan youth career.

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