AFCON: Moses Simon prefers team victory to Individual awards
After his Man of the Match award winning performance in Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON quater-final win over Angola, Moses Simon says he prefers team victory to individual accolades.
France-based Moses Simon provided the assist for Ademola Lookman’s winning goal in the 1-0 triumph for Nigeria and was named the best for the game on Friday, Febuary 2, 2024.
While expressing his happiness after receiving the award, Simon highlighted that the team’s victory was the primary focus. He emphasized that individual achievements are secondary when the team doesn’t secure a win.
“I’m very happy but the most important thing is that we won,” Simon told reporters in the post match press conference.
“You can be man of the match and your team loses the game.”
Simon also showed support for striker Victor Osimhen, stating that reigning CAF Footballer of the Year is more focused on contributing to the team’s success than just scoring goals.
He believes that if Osimhen gets a chance to score, he will take it, but the primary goal is the overall victory of the team.
The 28-year-old winger claimed his second Man of the Match award in the tournament, underlining his significant contributions to Nigeria’s journey in the competition.
” The atmosphere is good in the team. Osimhen is thinking about winning, not just scoring,” he said.
“If he gets a chance to score he will take it, but he’s focused on the team victory first.”
Nigeria has advanced to the semi-finals as they aim for their fourth African Cup of Nations title.
