Super Eagles forward Moses Simon has declared that Nigeria are not in Russia to make up the numbers, insisting the players will give everything to secure victory in Tuesday’s international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
Simon enters the encounter as one of the most experienced players in Eric Chelle’s youthful squad and is expected to carry significant leadership responsibility following the withdrawal of captain Wilfred Ndidi.
“We are not here to lose,” Simon said ahead of the game. “We are here to represent our country, and whoever gets the opportunity to play has to give his best.”
The Paris FC forward stressed that representing Nigeria comes with expectations regardless of whether the fixture is competitive or friendly, adding that every player invited understands the responsibility attached to wearing the Super Eagles shirt.
Nigeria face Russia needing a positive response after suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their last outing, a result that followed a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in the opening match of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Chelle has taken an experimental squad to Russia, opening the door for several emerging players to stake their claims for more regular involvement with the national team. Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredrick, Raphael Onyedika, Kelechi Iheanacho and Akor Adams provide much of the experience around the younger contingent.
For Simon personally, the Russia fixture comes shortly after another landmark in a Super Eagles career stretching back more than a decade.
The winger reached 100 international appearances during Nigeria’s victory over Madagascar in Uyo and has since moved to 101 caps, placing him among the country’s most experienced internationals. He made his senior Nigeria debut against Uganda in March 2015.
Nigeria and Russia drew 1-1 in Moscow in June 2025, with Tolu Arokodare cancelling out a Semi Ajayi own goal.
For Simon, however, Tuesday is not about history or the friendly tag.
After more than 100 appearances in green and white, his message to the new generation is straightforward: playing for Nigeria carries a responsibility, and whenever the Super Eagles step onto the pitch, losing should never be the intention.
