Moses Simon is set to receive a special honour from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, if he makes his 100th appearance for the Super Eagles in Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash against Madagascar in Uyo.
The Paris FC winger currently has 99 senior international caps and is in Nigeria’s squad for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
The NFF has confirmed that arrangements have been concluded to recognize Simon if he features against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Simon made his Super Eagles debut on March 25, 2015, in a friendly against Uganda. He came on in the 59th minute for Anthony Ujah as Nigeria lost 1-0, beginning an international career that has now spanned more than 11 years.
Since then, the 31-year-old has established himself as a regular member of the national team across several major competitions.
According to NFF figures, 64 of his 99 appearances have come in competitive matches, while the remaining 35 have been in international friendlies.
Simon has also featured 23 times for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and has played in 22 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. He has scored 12 goals for the Super Eagles, according to the NFF’s latest figures.
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One of the notable moments of his early international career came during Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign against Swaziland, now Eswatini. After the first leg ended goalless in Mbabane, Simon broke the deadlock in the return fixture in Port Harcourt with a direct free-kick from about 22 yards, helping Nigeria secure a 2-0 victory.
His international record also includes appearances at multiple editions of the AFCON. Simon was part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2019 tournament in Egypt, where the Super Eagles finished third, and also featured at the 2021 edition in Cameroon and the 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
The milestone against Madagascar would place Simon in an exclusive group of Nigerian players to have reached 100 senior international appearances.
He is set to join the likes of Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo and Alex Iwobi among Nigeria’s centurions, subject to his appearance in Friday’s fixture.
The NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme, described Simon as a dedicated player and praised his commitment to the national team.
“I can testify that Moses Simon is an incredible player and a wonderful human being,” Ikpeme said, adding that the federation was celebrating the winger’s milestone and wishing him more appearances for the Super Eagles.
Simon enters the landmark match as part of head coach Éric Chelle’s 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening two AFCON 2027 qualifying fixtures. The Super Eagles face Madagascar in Uyo on Friday before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for their second Group L fixture on September 29.
With Nigeria beginning its campaign for a place at the 2027 continental finals, Simon’s potential 100th appearance adds an individual milestone to an important opening fixture for the three-time African champions.
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