Is Moses Simon a Super Eagles legend? Where he ranks among Nigeria’s greatest wingers

Super Eagles and Paris FC winger Moses Simon is one game away from joining Nigeria’s 100-cap club, Afrik-Foot reports.

The former Nantes star has collected 99 appearances since his senior debut against Uganda in March 2015, and could reach the landmark during the September AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar or Guinea-Bissau.

Only Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo and Alex Iwobi have previously reached 100 appearances for Nigeria. Moses Simon would become the fifth.

Simon has scored 12 international goals and played at multiple AFCON tournaments, while his Nigeria career has survived injuries, coaching changes and the disappointment of missing three World Cups.

So, does 100 caps make Moses Simon a Super Eagles legend? The answer is yes, but his place among Nigeria’s greatest wingers needs a little more context.

Moses Simon: 99 caps, 12 goals and more than a decade

Simon made his debut at 19 under interim coach Daniel Amokachi. He scored his first Nigeria goal against Niger in Port Harcourt on September 8, 2015, then added another against Niger in Brussels a month later.

His international career has stretched across the teams of Sunday Oliseh, Gernot Rohr, José Peseiro, Finidi George, Augustine Eguavoen and Eric Chelle, among other coaching periods.

Simon has not simply accumulated appearances, he has also contributed goals, assists and strong performances in major competitions.

AFCON has been his strongest stage

Simon has played a major role across several AFCON campaigns.

He was part of Nigeria’s third-place team in 2019 and played in the 2021 tournament, where the Super Eagles lost to Tunisia in the round of 16. He then became an important member of the team that reached the 2023 final in Côte d’Ivoire.

Against Angola in the 2023 quarter-final, Simon was named Man of the Match after creating Ademola Lookman’s winning goal. At AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Simon again contributed from the bench and scored during Nigeria’s penalty shootout victory over Egypt in the third-place match. Nigeria finished with bronze, giving Simon another medal to add to his international career.

The World Cup chapter that never came

One gap sits heavily against Moses Simon’s otherwise impressive record, he has never played at a senior World Cup.

He was initially included in Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup plans but withdrew after suffering an injury. Nigeria then failed to qualify for Qatar 2022 after losing the playoff to Ghana. The Super Eagles also missed the 2026 tournament after losing to DR Congo on penalties.

Simon has therefore experienced some of Nigeria’s greatest highs and most painful failures without ever appearing on football’s biggest international stage.

Where does he rank among Nigeria’s wingers?

This is where the debate becomes interesting.

Finidi George has the strongest historical claim. He won AFCON in 1994, played at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and earned 62 caps. His role in Nigeria’s golden generation gives him a level of tournament impact Simon has not matched.

Victor Moses had a shorter international career but scored 12 goals in 38 appearances, won AFCON 2013 and played at two World Cups. His international peak was higher, even though Simon has more than twice his caps.

Emmanuel Amunike also has a powerful claim. The winger scored 10 goals in 28 appearances, won AFCON 1994 and scored in the 1994 final.

Ahmed Musa complicates the ranking further. The former Leicester City star holds Nigeria’s appearance record with 110 caps and 16 goals. His two goals against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup and brace against Iceland in 2018 are unmatched by Simon.

Simon therefore sits in the top five conversation among Nigeria’s great wide players, but his strongest case is built on longevity, consistency and service rather than spectacular World Cup moments.

Verdict: Moses Simon, a Super Eagles legend

Simon does not need 100 caps to become a legend. The milestone simply makes his case harder to ignore.

He has scored 12 goals in a Nigeria career stretching from March 2015 to 2026, played in several AFCON generations, won three AFCON medals, captained the country in World Cup qualifying and survived a long list of coaching changes.

Finidi, Amunike, Victor Moses and Musa have stronger claims in particular areas. Simon’s advantage is the sheer length of his contribution.

At 99 caps, he is already one of Nigeria’s most experienced internationals. At 100, he will enter an even smaller club and strengthen his case as one of the defining Super Eagles wingers of his generation.