By Monsurah Olatunji
Nantes winger Moses Simon has expressed his satisfaction with his match-winning goal in the highly anticipated Breton derby, as his stunning strike secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Rennes.
The 28-year-old’s brilliant solo effort came in the 89th minute, when Simon weaved past three Rennes defenders before curling a right-footed shot into the top corner of the net.
The goal, which was his fourth of the season, handed Nantes their first Ligue 1 win since August and proved to be the difference in a tight contest at Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday.
Despite the brilliance of his goal, Simon downplayed the individual achievement in his post-match comments to DAZN, focusing instead on the importance of the victory for the team.
“I can’t say it was magical because I already did it against Lens last season,” Simon said.
“So, I think it was the perfect moment, especially in the derby. We needed the points, that’s the most important thing for us. We got them, and we are very happy.”
Simon’s goal not only lifted Nantes’ spirits but also provided a much-needed three points for Antoine Kombouaré’s side, as they look to build momentum in Ligue 1.
With four goals in 13 appearances this season, Simon continues to be a key figure for the Canaries.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
