Moses Simon set for Nigeria century as NFF prepares special tribute

The Nigeria Football Federation has made arrangements to honour Moses Simon if the Super Eagles forward wins his 100th senior cap in Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Madagascar.

Simon made his Nigeria debut on 25th March 2015 and has since collected 99 appearances for the senior national team, scoring 12 goals.

Nigeria have won 49 of the matches in which Simon has played, drawing 30 and losing 20. The 29-year-old has appeared in 64 competitive internationals and 35 friendlies.

His record includes 23 appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and 22 matches in FIFA World Cup qualifying.

One of Simon’s early international highlights came during Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Swaziland. The first leg in Mbabane ended goalless, leaving the Super Eagles needing victory in the return match in Port Harcourt to progress into the main qualification race.

With the game nearing its conclusion, Simon broke the deadlock by scoring directly from a 22-yard free-kick. Nigeria went on to win 2-0.

NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme praised Simon’s contribution to the national team and his character away from the pitch.

“I can testify that Moses Simon is an incredible player and a wonderful human being, having related with him at close quarters for several years. He is a patriot to the core, and forever passionate and dedicated to the Nigeria cause. The NFF celebrates him on this special occasion and wish him many more caps with the Super Eagles,” Ikpeme said on Thursday.