Adingra struck in the draw with Leeds United this week, though has struggled for minutes under manager Regis Le Bris. He admits a lack of action saw him miss Ivory Coast's AFCON campaign.
"It was tough,” Adingra said. “I didn’t start well (at Sunderland) and I didn’t have a lot of playing time. Obviously, if you don’t play for your club, you can’t make it to the national team.
“The last AFCON, I participated in it, to win it with my national team, so of course I was expecting to go, but … another plan. I’m here now, full focus on Sunderland.
“I was not playing enough, and now we have some team-mates missing in the squad. It’s my opportunity now. I feel that I am ready, I have to show my coach he can count on me.
“It was a disappointing period for me not to be with my national team. But at the same time, I have my opportunity now here and it’s up to me to step up and show the coach.
"He has been good, like my team-mates, the whole club, they have all been supporting me. They know how I feel, not being there.
“It was really good to score and in front of our fans, my first goal for Sunderland, a good feeling. Obviously, I’ve had a tough moment during the start of the season. It was a little bit challenging for me but today I had my chance, my opportunity. I hope I will keep going.”