Nantes hit hard as Nigerian forward Moses Simon sidelined for rest of the season with injury

Caretaker March 27, 2024

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“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.”

French Ligue 1 club Nantes have been dealt a significant blow with the news that Nigerian forward Moses Simon will miss the remainder of the season due to an injury sustained while on international duty.

Simon, who plays as a winger for both Nantes and the Nigerian national team, suffered the injury during Nigeria’s recent match against Mali, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Super Eagles.

The injury occurred in the 33rd minute of the game following a collision with the opposing goalkeeper, forcing Simon to leave the pitch with assistance from medical staff. Despite efforts to continue, he was unable to do so and was subsequently replaced by Cyriel Dessers.

Nantes officially confirmed that Simon has suffered a fractured fibula, sidelining him for a minimum of three months. This unfortunate development means that Simon will miss the remaining fixtures of Nantes’ season as well as Nigeria’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against South Africa.

The absence of Simon poses a significant challenge for Nantes coach Antoine Kombouare, particularly as the club battles against relegation with only eight games left in the season. Finding a suitable replacement for Simon becomes imperative for Nantes as they aim to secure their Ligue 1 status.

Coach Finidi George, who also serves as an assistant coach for the Nigerian national team, expressed his concern over Simon’s injury, acknowledging the player’s importance for both club and country.

Following the match, Coach Finidi confirmed Simon’s hospitalization for further evaluation, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the extent of the injury and its implications for Simon’s future participation.