Moses Simon’s FC Nantes are still not assured of Ligue 1 survival heading into the final matchday, following a 1-1 draw away to AJ Auxerre on Saturday night.
The result leaves the Canaries precariously placed, with work still to do next weekend.
It was a frustrating evening at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps. Simon, usually Nantes’ spark in attack, struggled to influence proceedings in a cagey affair.
He completed 13 of 15 passes (87%) and battled gamely, but his efforts yielded little in the final third, no shots on target and only a marginal threat.
In what was a clash of Nigerians, Simon featured for 89 minutes, trying to lift a blunt Nantes attack. On the opposite bench, his compatriot Gabriel Osho of Auxerre watched on without seeing any action, left unused for the entire game.
Nantes must now beat already-relegated Montpellier at the Stade de la Beaujoire to guarantee their place in Ligue 1 next season. Failure to win could prove costly, depending on results elsewhere.
Nantes’ struggles don’t dim Simon’s shine
Still, it would be unfair to pin Nantes’ troubles on their Nigerian talisman. The 29-year-old is enjoying his most productive campaign in France, with seven goals and nine assists so far.
His consistency has been a rare bright spot in a difficult season, and his explosiveness in transition has remained a key outlet for the team.
Moses Simon made his 200th appearance for Nantes tonight 🟡🟢
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) May 10, 2025
A key man through the years for the French side. pic.twitter.com/SbEaEOBzof
Simon’s excellence has not gone unnoticed. He was nominated for both the Ligue 1 Goal of the Season and the Marc-Vivien Foé Award for the best African player in the league.
More significantly, he recently became Nantes’ all-time assist leader with 42, surpassing Emiliano Sala, the late Argentine striker whose legacy still resonates at the club.
