Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has expressed delight after being named Man Of The Match in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Angola in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) named the Nigerian winger after a brilliant assist for Ademola Lookman to score the winning goal for Nigeria against Angola.
Simon set up Ademola Lookman’s first-half winner that sealed a 1-0 victory to send the Super Eagles into the semi-finals.
The Nantes player was awarded the best player of the match award but insisted collective success was the priority.
“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 backed striker Victor Osimhen to rediscover his scoring touch, despite firing blanks in recent matches.
“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.”
The 28-year-old Simon claimed his second Man of the Match award at this tournament after also earning the accolade against Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.
His assist for Lookman’s winner was a vital contribution as Nigeria advanced to the last four in their bid for a fourth African crown.
Simon was a threat to the Angola defenders each time he drove the ball on the opposition team and he constantly kept the Sable Antelopes backline busy throughout the game.
Simon will hope to continue his fine form as Nigeria continue to push for a fourth AFCON title and will play the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final between Cape Verde and South Africa in the semi-final on Wednesday.
