Moses Simon has hit back at critics for his performance against Egypt.
It was a performance filled with shades of great and saw Simon defend himself with claims he is no Ronaldo or Messi.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria delivered a masterclass on Tuesday against the Pharaohs of Egypt. The Egyptians were the favourites to win the game, especially as they have one of the best players in the world.
Mohamed Salah was supposed to cause plenty of problems for Nigeria, but it was a torrid night for the Liverpool man as he struggled to get in the game. He was well marshaled and pocketed by the defensive duo of Williams Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo with support from Wilfred Ndidi.
Besides one chance Maduka Okoye saved, Salah was a passenger throughout the game. He huffed and puffed as his teammates waited on him to deliver some magic that never came.
While Salah struggled, Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game. He also walked away with the man-of-the-match award. The award may have gone to the Leicester City forward, but Moses Simon was the man who stole the hearts of many.
Moses troubled Pharaoh
With names like Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze and Taiwo Awoniyi in the line-up, nobody expected Nantes winger Moses Simon to steal the show. Like the Biblical Moses, Simon troubled the Egyptians. He was akin to the 11th plague as he tormented the highly fancied Egyptians.
Whenever Simon had the ball at his feet, the Egyptians were apprehensive. They resorted to forming a triple deck on him. For all his meandering skills on the day, Simon failed to deliver the killer punch. Despite the praises that trailed his performance, he also received some knocks for that part of his game.
Moses Simon showed he has the tools to be a great player but needs to work on his final ball. It is what denied him of glory. Simon needs to perfect his passes and crosses in the final third and add a few goals to increase his stock.
Moses Simon bats back criticism
God told Moses to speak to the rock, but he chose o to strike it. Water did come out, but he failed to enter the promised land. Perhaps, this is why Iheanacho was the man-of-the-match as he delivered the all-important goal that gave the Super Eagles three points.
Moses Simon is, however, not sitting back and taking all the criticism in stride. The Nantes winger has hit back at critics of his performance against Egypt. Despite being one of the best players on the pitch against Egypt, Simon has received knocks for his final balls.
Down the left-wing, he caused havoc and terrorized the Egyptians with different plagues, yet the Pharaohs refused to budge until Iheanacho delivered the killer blow.
Moses Simon defended his performance by claiming he is no Ronaldo or Messi. According to him, he is not perfect but has promised to give his all to the team.
Ahead of the game against Sudan, Moses Simon was aware of his failings but remains undeterred in working to help the team win the title in Cameroon.
The 26-year-old Simon needs to work on his crosses and finishing. From 45 appearances for the Super Eagles, he has only five goals.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
