Moses Simon, a winger for both the Super Eagles and FC Nantes in France, revealed his internal struggle during a crucial moment in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final match against Palancas Negras of Angola. The Nigerian team secured a 1-0 victory, with Simon providing the assist for the winning goal scored by Ademola Lookman.
In a post-match news conference in Abidjan, Simon confessed, “I was undecided if I should pass to Victor Osimhen, go inside and shoot, or find Ademola Lookman.” He expressed his dilemma of choosing between passing to Osimhen, aiming for a goal himself, or setting up Lookman, emphasizing the importance of selflessness in such scenarios. Simon highlighted the significance of ensuring that the team scores, stating, “The most important thing is the victory…you could be the man of the match and lose.”
Despite winning the Man of the Match award, Simon emphasized that his happiness stemmed from the team’s progression to the semi-final rather than individual accolades. He emphasized the collective effort and the team’s focus on victory, rather than placing excessive pressure on any particular player to score.
Nigeria’s path to the quarter-final included a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, a 1-0 victory over the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire, and another 1-0 win against Guinea Bissau in the group stage. The team then secured a 2-0 win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the round of 16 before their triumph against Angola.
The Super Eagles’ performance signifies their determination to vie for the prestigious AFCON title, reflecting their unity and resilience on the field.
