Nigeria are on the brink of booking a place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), but winger Moses Simon is refusing to consider the prospect of the Super Eagles failing to reach the 2026 Fifa World Cup despite a poor start to qualifying.
The West Africans are languishing in fifth place in their six-team group with just three points from their opening four matches.
Simon missed June’s fixtures, a draw with South Africa and loss to Benin, through injury but is “not worried” about Nigeria’s hopes when the campaign resumes next year – even though only the group winners are guaranteed a spot at the finals in North America.
“We have the quality, we have what it takes to win,” the 29-year-old told BBC Sport Africa.
“We don’t believe that we are not going to the World Cup.
“The last qualifying games, we missed regular players and I believe they’ll be there next year to help the team.”
For the Jos-born Nantes attacker, the stakes feel particularly high.
Absent from the 2018 World Cup through injury, he played in both legs of the play-off against Ghana for the 2022 tournament which the Black Stars won on away goals.
“I was part of those fights but I didn’t make it, so I want to play the next one,” he said.
“I believe this is my last [chance] so I have to do my best to take it.”
Simon first joined French club Nantes on loan in 2019
Simon, who clocked up his 150th appearance in France’s Ligue 1 in September, has been in impressive form this season and appears to be showing no ill-effects of the broken leg that kept him out for several months earlier this year.
The winger has played some of his best football at Nantes under coach Antoine Kombouare, who has recently returned for a second spell in charge.
“He’s like a father,” Simon explained.
“He tries to make everyone feel at home. The most important thing for a coach is when you give a player confidence to play.”
After spells in Slovakia, Belgium and Spain, Simon is in his sixth season at Stade de la Beaujoire and is relieved to have recovered from what he describes as “the worst injury” of his career.
“It is not easy when you are out with such an injury and come back,” he added.
“I try to push harder to be better than last season.
“I love it here and feel love from the supporters, the president, the club, my team-mates. I feel at home.”
BBC
