Moses Simon has reached 100 appearances for the Super Eagles, joining an exclusive group of Nigerian players to achieve the landmark after featuring in Nigeria’s 2–1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.

The Paris FC forward made his senior international debut on March 25, 2015, against Uganda. More than 11 years later, he has become the fifth Nigerian to record a century of appearances for the national team.

Simon joins Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo and Alex Iwobi in Nigeria’s 100-cap club, marking another significant milestone in a Super Eagles career that has spanned more than a decade.

Moses Simon’s Super Eagles Journey

Before his 100th appearance, Moses Simon had recorded 99 caps and 12 goals for Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Football Federation.

His appearances included 64 competitive matches and 35 friendlies. He also featured in 23 Africa Cup of Nations finals matches and 22 FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

Across his first 99 appearances, the Super Eagles won 49 matches, drew 30 and lost 20 when Simon was involved.

His international journey began under interim coach Daniel Amokachi in 2015, with Simon coming on as a substitute against Uganda.

   Memorable Moments

One of his early highlights came during Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Swaziland.

After the first leg ended goalless in Mbabane, the Paris fc forward  scored directly from a 22-yard free-kick in the return fixture in Port Harcourt as Nigeria secured a 2–0 victory.

His first Super Eagles goal came against Niger in Port Harcourt in September 2015.

He has since represented Nigeria at multiple major tournaments, including the 2019 and 2021 AFCON competitions.

He was also part of the Super Eagles squad that reached the 2023 AFCON final in Côte d’Ivoire and was named Man of the Match in Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Angola.

  Simon Earns NFF Praise

The Nigeria Football Federation had announced that Simon would be honoured after reaching the 100-cap landmark.

NFF Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, praised Simon’s commitment to the national team.

Joining the Super Eagles Centurions

Simon’s 100th appearance places him among the most experienced players in the history of the Super Eagles.

Ahmed Musa remains Nigeria’s record appearance holder, while Enyeama, Yobo and Iwobi had already crossed the century mark before Moses.

The milestone also came on a winning night for Nigeria, with George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scoring as the Super Eagles came from behind to defeat Madagascar 2–1 in Uyo.

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Nigeria has updated the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) on preparations for the 2nd African School Games in Abuja, with organisers now focusing on delivering the event, Made In Africa Sport reports.

According to a statement issued by Kola Daniel, special adviser on media in the office of the director general of the National Sports Commission, the update was presented by the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Lekan Abari, at ANOCA’s Extraordinary General Assembly at the Hilton Hotel in Nagoya, Japan, following an introduction by Nigeria Olympic Committee president Habu Gumel.

The meeting brought together ANOCA leadership, representatives of African National Olympic Committees and other stakeholders from the Olympic Movement, including the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees and Oceania National Olympic Committees, according to the statement.

Abari’s presentation covered the progress made since Nigeria was awarded the hosting rights, including the formal hosting and signing ceremony, ANOCA’s initial inspection of facilities, venue rehabilitation, competition dates and disciplines, funding and resource mobilisation, and the work of the LOC.

The statement added that Abari also outlined plans for completing venue preparations and strengthening the LOC’s organisational structures ahead of the Games.

Nigeria acknowledged that work remains to be done but told delegates that preparations are progressing and that the LOC is working with ANOCA to meet the requirements and agreed timelines.

The presentation prompted questions from delegates about the safety and security of participants, the proposed first Chef de Mission Meeting scheduled for 12 to 20 January 2027, the operation of the LOC secretariat and the availability of technical manuals, the statement said.

Abari told the Assembly that work was continuing across the different areas of preparation and that Nigeria would maintain regular engagement with ANOCA, according to the statement. It added that an official request for the technical manuals had also been submitted.

The Nigerian delegation also received positive feedback from several delegates after the presentation, with the statement saying delegates highlighted the level of detail provided on preparations for Abuja 2027.

The Abuja presentation was one of four Games updates delivered during the session. The others covered the African Beach Games Riaba 2027 in Equatorial Guinea, the African Youth Games Addis Ababa 2027 in Ethiopia and the African Games Cairo 2027 in Egypt, according to the statement.

The statement also said ANOCA reaffirmed its commitment to Abuja 2027 and pledged to release financial support for preparations in line with previous assurances. The LOC is expected to engage ANOCA on the arrangements for releasing the funds.

The Nagoya meeting comes as Nigeria moves into the next phase of preparations, with attention now shifting towards completing venue work, strengthening operations and meeting the requirements ahead of the 2027 African School Games.

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar‘s Barea at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 25 September, 2026, with Eric Chelle‘s men set for their opening match of the campaign, Made In Africa Sport reports.

The match kicks off at 5 pm Nigerian time, with Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau competing for the group’s remaining qualification place as Tanzania are already assured of a place at the tournament as co-hosts.

That leaves little room for dropped points, particularly for Nigeria on home soil.

Chelle demands a fast start from Super Eagles

Chelle has retained several experienced players while introducing younger options as he begins to shape the squad.

Nigeria have plenty of attacking talent available, with Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare and Taiwo Awoniyi among the forwards expected to provide the threat in Uyo.

Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi offer experience in midfield, while Nigeria’s defence will have to deal with Madagascar’s ability to counter when they win possession.

Chelle has challenged his players to approach the opening game with urgency.

“We have to show everyone from day one that we want it, and the only way to do that is to go for it with our hearts, and refuse to slow down at any point,” he said.

Osimhen’s absence creates opportunity

Nigeria will start the campaign without Victor Osimhen after the Galatasaray striker was withdrawn from the squad because of injury.

His absence removes one of the team’s most prolific attacking options, but it gives other forwards an opportunity to take greater responsibility.

Awoniyi is back in the squad after a lengthy absence from international football and could feature in the attack. Akor Adams and Arokodare are also available, while George Ilenikhena provides another option for Chelle.

The challenge for Nigeria will be maintaining their attacking threat without relying on one player to provide the decisive moment.

Madagascar bring a warning from 2019

Madagascar will not need reminding of their previous meeting with Nigeria.

The Barea defeated the Super Eagles 2-0 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, one of the most unexpected results of that tournament.

That result provides a reminder of what can happen if Nigeria fail to break down a disciplined opponent.

Madagascar are likely to spend periods without the ball and look for opportunities to attack spaces when Nigeria commit players forward. The Super Eagles will therefore need patience in possession while remaining organised when attacks break down.

Nigeria face test of patience

The key battle in Uyo could come down to Nigeria’s ability to find a way through a potentially compact Madagascar defence.

Lookman, Simon and Chukwueze can provide width and one-on-one threat, while Iwobi’s movement and passing could help Nigeria create openings between midfield and defence.

The Super Eagles may need to move the ball quickly to shift Madagascar’s defensive shape rather than allowing the visitors to settle into a comfortable rhythm.

At the other end, Nigeria cannot afford to become vulnerable by committing too many players forward. Madagascar’s counter-attacking threat means the hosts will need to maintain their defensive structure even when chasing a goal.

What is at stake?

Nigeria face Guinea-Bissau away on September 29, giving Chelle two competitive fixtures in a short opening window.

A win in Uyo would give Nigeria an early platform before the trip to Guinea-Bissau, while dropping points at home would immediately increase the pressure on the remaining matches.

The Super Eagles will have the home support behind them, but Madagascar have already shown that they can cause problems when Nigeria fail to impose themselves.

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