AFCON Best Young Player List: Africa Cup of Nations Winners From Diatta and Kabore to Simon Adingra

• Simon Adingra made history on Sunday, winning AFCON 2023's Best Young Player
• He played a starring role in Ivory Coast's memorable win over Nigeria in the final
• Krepin Diatta and Issa Kabore had won this award in the last two AFCON editions

Simon Adingra is the toast of the town in Ivory Coast.

He helped his country win their third AFCON title, leading the Elephants past Nigeria in the final.

He won a couple of individual awards after the championship match, with Adingra capturing the Best Young Player prize.

Sports Brief looks at the players who have landed this prestigious prize.

AFCON Best Young Player awardees

Krepin Diatta (Senegal, 2019)

Diatta won the first-ever Best Young Player award in the Africa Cup of Nations, taking home the top prize in 2019, per ESPN.

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He captured the award after appearing in all of the Teranga Lions' matches in that tournament.

Diatta scored his maiden international goal in Senegal's opening match against Tanzania, firing his right-footed strike from outside the box into the back of the net.

He helped his country reach the final, with Diatta coming on as a substitute in the championship game against Algeria.

They fell short in their bid to win their first AFCON title, however, as Senegal lost 1-0 in the final.

Issa Kabore (Burkina Faso, 2021)

Kabore was named Best Young Player of the Tournament at AFCON 2021. He was given the award despite not scoring a goal for Burkina Faso.

He contributed in other ways, though, recording three assists to help the Stallions reach the last 4. He was solid down the right flank for Burkina Faso both in attack and defence.

Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast, 2023)

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Adingra is the man of the moment in Ivory Coast.

He played a key role in the Elephants' unlikely run to the title, making vital contributions in their come-from-behind wins against Mali and Nigeria in the knockout rounds.

He scored a 90th-minute equaliser against Mali in the quarter-finals to send the match into extra time.

He saved the best for last in the final against Nigeria, issuing assists to Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller in the second half to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win for Ivory Coast in the end.

That outstanding performance was enough for him to land the Best Young Player award, per CAF.

Brighton fan watches Adingra star in final

Sports Brief recently reported on a Brighton fan travelling to Abidjan to watch Adingra play in the final.

Adingra made his trip worthwhile, producing a man-of-the-match performance against Nigeria.

The Brighton supporter joined the celebrations at the Stade Alassane Ouattara following the Elephants' win.