Fans have slammed Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon, for his inability to replicate his club form on national team duty.
Simon has had an impressive season with Nantes, scoring two goals and making six assists in 17 league games for the Canneries, but failed to neither score nor assist a goal for the Eagles in his last 14 games during the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
His number of assists in Ligue 1 is only bettered by that of Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (8) and Olympique Marseille’s Dimitri Payet (7).
The 26-year-old’s goal against Lens in his side’s 3-2 win got Nigerians talking about the contrast in performance for club and the national team.
For the Eagles, Simon has scored five goals and provided five assists in 45 appearances, while he has not consistently shown the flashes of brilliance he displays at his club side.
Speaking about Simon’s performance, @Nelson _MMX wondered why he’s been unable to replicate the form in the colours of Nigeria.
“The Simon that plays in Nantes is a totally different footballer from the one that plays for Nigeria. The Nigerian version can’t even dribble or score to save his life but this Nantes version is a very good footballer,” he tweeted.
@dami_mastermind wrote, “Man (Simon) hasn’t had half of his Nantes performance for Nigeria. What could be the problem?” he asked.
“We’ve not seen him at his best yet in Nigeria colours. He needs to be consistent with his performances,” @mayor_lakastoh tweeted.
Ugbe Bepeh said he hopes the winger can bring his explosive form at club level to the national team when the AFCON begins in January.
“This guy (Simon) really knows how to play at club side. I just hope he brings this form to the AFCON.”
