National Teams
Moses Simon reflects on leading Nigeria to a match as captain
By Wale Mustapha
Nigeria and Nantes’ winger, Moses Simon has described leading the Super Eagles to a match as captain was one of the high points of his career.
The 27-year-old forwarda is one of the mainstay in Jose Peseiro’s team who will be gunning for their fourth African Cup of Nations, AFCON title in Ivory Coast later in January.
Simon who started his football career from GBS Academy in Jos, Plateau State has experienced highs and lows in his sojourn to become a professional footballer.
He failed his first football trial at Ajax before handed a second chance with Trencin in Slovakia. The wide man has gone from there to play for Belgian side Gent, Levante in Spanish La Liga before signing for Nantes in 2019.
Simon missed the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Nigeria despite featuring in all qualifying series, an experience he described as one of the saddest in his life as he would then make a significant return to the team and went on to be handed the armband where he led the lead to an AFCON qualifiers triumph against Sao Tome and Principe.
In a sober reflection, Simon says it’s a dream come true to achieve such feat and willing to give more to the game.
“First of all, I have to thank the coach for that. Then, I want to thank the players for the respect they give me. To be the captain of your nation is a big honour, but it is not easy,” Simon told FIFA.com.
“It’s not the same as being captain in your club. You carry the whole nation, so you have to be a strong leader.
“I’m really happy that I captained Nigeria and, even if I’m told that I won’t be the captain any more, I’m still grateful for the opportunity.
“Football has taken me all the way to captaining the Super Eagles! I had never, ever been the captain of even the Academy where I came from, so it meant so much.”
He is expected to be among the stars that will shine at the upcoming AFCON tournament that will kickoff in few days in Ivory Coast.
