Tremendous Eagles winger Moses Simon as soon as once more proved his worth to the nationwide workforce, coming off the bench towards Benin on Thursday night time to offer the help that helped Nigeria safe an important 1-1 draw.
His completely timed cross discovered Victor Osimhen, who headed residence to convey Nigeria degree on the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
Whereas the draw prolonged Nigeria’s unbeaten run within the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the match held better private significance for the Nantes winger—it marked his seventy fifth worldwide look for the Tremendous Eagles, a milestone that locations him amongst Nigeria’s footballing elite.
A Tremendous Eagles journey that started in 2015
Simon made his Tremendous Eagles debut in March 2015 throughout a pleasant towards Uganda on the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Although Nigeria suffered a 1-0 defeat that day, the match additionally marked one other historic milestone, with Vincent Enyeama incomes his a hundredth cap.
Since then, Simon has grown into one among Nigeria’s most dependable gamers, contributing targets, assists, and management to the workforce over practically a decade of service.
Simon’s first worldwide objective
Simon’s first objective for Nigeria got here in his fourth cap throughout a pleasant towards Niger in Port Harcourt.
He got here off the bench to interchange Ahmed Musa and delivered a second of brilliance within the 83rd minute, chesting the ball down earlier than unleashing a thunderous strike previous the Nigerien goalkeeper.
The match led to a 2-0 victory, with Simon and Musa getting the targets.
Since then, Simon has scored 9 extra targets and supplied a formidable 15 assists—a tally that locations him amongst Nigeria’s all-time help leaders.
Captain for the day and a record-breaking match
On June 13, 2022, Simon captained Nigeria for the third time in a 2023 AFCON qualifier towards São Tomé and Príncipe, held in Agadir, Morocco.
He not solely led the workforce but additionally scored and assisted in a historic 10-0 thrashing, Nigeria’s largest victory since defeating Dahomey (now Benin) 10-1 in 1959.
It was a day to recollect for Simon, who performed a pivotal function in a record-breaking efficiency for the Tremendous Eagles.
Milestone match towards Benin for Moses Simon
Simon’s seventy fifth look got here in Thursday’s qualifier towards Benin, the place he began on the bench however made a right away impression after changing debutant Gabriel Osho at half-time.
His pinpoint help for Osimhen’s equalizer was his fifteenth for the nationwide workforce, underscoring his enduring creativity.
This milestone locations Simon in an illustrious group of Tremendous Eagles legends, together with Vincent Enyeama, Muda Lawal, and Ahmed Musa.
He’s now seventh on Nigeria’s all-time look checklist, surpassing icons like Jay-Jay Okocha, Stephen Keshi, and Osaze Odemwingie.
Amongst energetic gamers, solely Alex Iwobi has made extra appearances for the nationwide workforce.
Moses Simon’s journey with the Tremendous Eagles is a testomony to his consistency, versatility, and dedication.
As he continues to contribute on the pitch, his expertise and management will stay invaluable for Nigeria of their pursuit of continental and world success.
