More than 11 years after making his senior international debut, Moses Simon could reach one of Nigerian football’s rarest milestones when the Super Eagles face Madagascar in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday.
The Paris FC winger currently has 99 senior appearances and will become only the fifth Nigerian to reach 100 caps if selected at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The Nigeria Football Federation has already concluded arrangements to honor Simon should he reach the landmark.
Simon made his Super Eagles debut against Uganda on March 25, 2015, beginning an international career that has survived several managerial changes and different generations of Nigerian players.
His 99 appearances comprise 64 competitive matches and 35 friendlies, including 23 games at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and 22 World Cup qualifiers.
Simon has also scored 12 international goals, while Nigeria have recorded 49 victories, 30 draws and 20 defeats in matches in which he featured.
One of his notable early contributions came during qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
After Nigeria drew 0-0 with Swaziland in the first leg of their preliminary tie, Simon scored directly from a free-kick in the return fixture in Port Harcourt as the Super Eagles secured a 2-0 victory and progressed.
Since then, the winger has represented Nigeria through multiple AFCON campaigns, including the team’s third-place finish in 2019 and run to the 2023 final.
Reaching 100 appearances would place Simon alongside a small group of Nigerian centurions comprising Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo and, most recently, Alex Iwobi.
NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme described Simon as passionate and dedicated to the national team while confirming the federation’s plans to celebrate the milestone.
The landmark, however, remains dependent on Simon featuring against Madagascar.
With Nigeria beginning another AFCON qualifying campaign in Uyo, Friday could therefore carry two different meanings for the winger: the pursuit of three points for his country and the completion of a personal journey that began as a teenager more than a decade ago.
