AFCON

‘We have to wake up’ – Moses Simon charges sluggish Super Eagles after AFCON disappointment

By Nsidibe Akpan

Posted on January 14, 2024

Super Eagles forward Moses Simon has sent a wake-up call to his teammates following the disappointing 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their first game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Nigerian national team were hoping for a positive start to life in Cote d’Ivoire but were left to share the point after a performance that left many Nigerians fuming.

Victor Osimhen responded to Equatorial Guinea going in front in the 36th minute and scored the equaliser two minutes later to calm the nerves that crept in with the goal. The three times African champions could not build on not letting their opponent build any momentum.

The team is left with the task of not losing their next fixture against host Cote d’Ivoire to keep hopes of qualification alive.

FULL TIME

NIGERIA 1-1 EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Jose Peseiro and his lack of technical know-how cost the Super Eagles to drop points in their AFCON opener. Not a terrible result but it puts them under pressure against Cote d'Ivoire.#NGAEQG #AFCON2023 #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/215yk0c8bW

— Nsidibe Akpan (@nsidibeakpan23) January 14, 2024

Speaking exclusively to The Athletic NG after the game, Nantes forward, Moses Simon said the players are disappointed after failing to cease the opportunity to grab maximum points.

“Yes, we are disappointed,” he said. “We had a lot of chances but we did not utilise it and ofcourse we are disappointed.

“We need to think ahead for the next game, work hard, any opportunity we get, we use it and get it done.”

Nigeria will play their second group game on Thursday against Cote d’Ivoire, Simon says the team has to wake up to get something from the game.

“When you have this kind of opportunity and you don’t win, it’s not only the host country but the next game you have to wake up. I watched the game yesterday (Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea Bissau), they (Côte d’Ivoire are good, we are also good, we just need to see how it ends. We just need to score.”

He believes the country can still qualify to the next round, “Yes, actually, I am optimistic.”