Following his stellar performance in Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON quarter-final victory against Angola, Moses Simon, the France-based winger, expressed his preference for team success over individual accolades.
Simon, who earned the Man of the Match award for his crucial contributions in the 1-0 win, highlighted the importance of the team’s triumph during a post-match press conference on Friday, February 2, 2024.
In the tightly contested quarter-final, Simon provided the decisive assist for Ademola Lookman’s winning goal, earning him the prestigious Man of the Match honor.
Despite the individual recognition, Simon emphasized that the team’s victory remained the primary focus and that personal achievements are secondary when the collective success is not achieved.
“I’m very happy, but the most important thing is that we won,” Moses Simon conveyed to reporters during the press conference. He underscored the potential bittersweet scenario where an individual may receive accolades but the team fails to secure a win.
Expressing solidarity with teammate Victor Osimhen, Simon shared insights into the striker’s mindset. He affirmed that Osimhen, the reigning CAF Footballer of the Year, prioritizes contributing to the team’s success over personal goal-scoring achievements.
READ MORE: Nigeria 1-0 Angola (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)
Simon believes that if Osimhen is presented with a chance to score, he will seize it, but the overarching objective is the team’s victory.
In the tournament, the 28-year-old winger claimed his second Man of the Match award, underscoring his significant role in Nigeria’s journey toward the coveted AFCON title.
Simon provided assurance about the positive atmosphere within the team, affirming that Osimhen’s focus is on winning matches rather than solely scoring goals.
With Nigeria advancing to the semi-finals in pursuit of their fourth African Cup of Nations title, Simon’s commitment to team success resonates as a driving force in the Super Eagles’ quest for continental glory.
