Super Eagles winger Moses Simon once again proved his value to the national team, coming off the bench against Benin on Thursday night to provide the assist that helped Nigeria secure a crucial 1-1 draw.
His perfectly timed cross found Victor Osimhen, who headed home to bring Nigeria level at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
While the draw extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the match held greater personal significance for the Nantes winger—it marked his 75th international appearance for the Super Eagles, a milestone that places him among Nigeria’s footballing elite.
A Super Eagles journey that began in 2015
Simon made his Super Eagles debut in March 2015 during a friendly against Uganda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Though Nigeria suffered a 1-0 defeat that day, the match also marked another historic milestone, with Vincent Enyeama earning his 100th cap.
Since then, Simon has grown into one of Nigeria’s most reliable players, contributing goals, assists, and leadership to the team over nearly a decade of service.
Simon’s first international goal
Simon’s first goal for Nigeria came in his fourth cap during a friendly against Niger in Port Harcourt.
He came off the bench to replace Ahmed Musa and delivered a moment of brilliance in the 83rd minute, chesting the ball down before unleashing a thunderous strike past the Nigerien goalkeeper.
The match ended in a 2-0 victory, with Simon and Musa getting the goals.
Since then, Simon has scored nine more goals and provided an impressive 15 assists—a tally that places him among Nigeria’s all-time assist leaders.
Captain for the day and a record-breaking match
On June 13, 2022, Simon captained Nigeria for the third time in a 2023 AFCON qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe, held in Agadir, Morocco.
He not only led the team but also scored and assisted in a historic 10-0 thrashing, Nigeria's biggest victory since defeating Dahomey (now Benin) 10-1 in 1959.
It was a day to remember for Simon, who played a pivotal role in a record-breaking performance for the Super Eagles.
Milestone match against Benin for Moses Simon
Simon’s 75th appearance came in Thursday’s qualifier against Benin, where he started on the bench but made an immediate impact after replacing debutant Gabriel Osho at half-time.
His pinpoint assist for Osimhen’s equalizer was his 15th for the national team, underscoring his enduring creativity.
This milestone places Simon in an illustrious group of Super Eagles legends, including Vincent Enyeama, Muda Lawal, and Ahmed Musa.
He is now seventh on Nigeria’s all-time appearance list, surpassing icons like Jay-Jay Okocha, Stephen Keshi, and Osaze Odemwingie.
Among active players, only Alex Iwobi has made more appearances for the national team.
Moses Simon’s journey with the Super Eagles is a testament to his consistency, versatility, and dedication.
As he continues to contribute on the pitch, his experience and leadership will remain invaluable for Nigeria in their pursuit of continental and global success.
