2023 AFCONQ : Time for Moses Simon to be consistent

Moses Simon is one of the first names on the Super Eagles team sheet, having started 8 of the last 10 games played by the national team

Under Jose Peseiro, the Nantes winger has featured in all the matches with the exception of the friendly against Costa Rica, where Nigeria fielded a B team comprising mostly of home-based players. 

Simon has also been playing regularly this season for Nantes in the Ligue 1, starting 22 of the 24 games he has been named in the matchday squad.

The winger's talent is never in doubt, particularly his ability to dribble past opposition defenders.

Simon dribbling past opponents effortlessly at the last Africa Cup of Nations is still fresh in the minds of Super Eagles fans.

The problem or the flaw in his game is his ability to deliver in key moments, whether by scoring goals or assisting.

Simon has just 1 goal and 3 assists in the last 10 games for Nigeria.  He is yet to find the back of the net in the last 11 league games for Nantes and has only assisted once. These figures evidence his struggles in the attacking third.

While playing with the in-form Victor Osimhen, there is no better time for Simon to silence critics by becoming more productive in the attacking third consistently.

It is only by being consistent that he will be able to justify his regular selection in the first XI.

Simon will be one of the key players to look out for in the two-legged ties against Guinea-Bissau and Peseiro will hope the winger is at his best as Nigeria seek to seal their place in next year's Africa Cup of Nations. 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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