Moses Simon reveals three ‘secret factors’ that made his 100 Super Eagles caps possible

France’s Paris FC winger Moses Simon has revealed three ‘secret factors’ that enabled him to earn 100 appearances for the Nigerian national team, saying it was thanks to the support of his family, friends and journalists.

Sports247 reports that former AS Trenčín of Slovakia, KK Gent of Belgium, Levante of Spain and FC Nantes of France made the revelation after receiving a commemorative framed jersey from officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Simon, who played for the U-20 national team, Flying Eagles, from 2013 to 2015 and has 12 senior goals, further revealed that all the coaches he played with at the Eagles and Nigerian football fans also played a key role in helping him reach the centenary milestone.

The dark-skinned attacker, who already owns a popular football academy in Kaduna, added that he never imagined he would reach 100 caps for the national team, something he achieved as a 61st-minute substitute against Madagascar on Friday.

The 31-year-old winger responded happily: “First of all, I would like to thank the coach for the opportunity. Thanks also to all the coaches who gave me this opportunity and also thanks to all the journalists. Of course, this gave me joy.”

“It is a great privilege to play for the Super Eagles. It is a dream come true. I never believed I would be there. I never believed I would play 100 games. I only believe one thing: whenever they call me, I will be there to give my 100 percent.

“The secret of my 100 international matches is my family, my friends, Nigerians and journalists (who give us publicity at home and abroad). When I see the passion that journalists have for football, I am ready to give it my all.”

Sports247 further reports that Simon, a product of GBS Academy, the same football center in Plateau State that produced Ahmed Musa, was born in Jos and his father served in the Nigerian Army before retiring.

Simon was initially linked with Kaduna United in the Nigerian league, as well as Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur of England, but signed a pre-agreement with Ajax Amsterdam of the Netherlands on 10 May 2013, with a view to joining them to fully join after participating in pre-season training.

However, after a couple of friendly appearances for Ajax, the Dutch club decided on 25 July 2013 that they would not sign him, paving the way for his move to Slovakia’s AS Trenčín, who at the time was owned by a former Amsterdam giants player, Tschen La Ling.

Simon made his Super Eagles debut under former international striker and assistant coach Daniel Amokachi on 25 March 2015 in a friendly against Uganda, when he replaced Anthony Ujah after 59 minutes, then scored his first goal for Nigeria against Niger Republic on 8 September 2015 in another warm-up match.