Injured Moses Simon Ruled Out of World Cup Qualifiers

Femi Solaja

Nigeria’s quest of booking a place in the 2026 World Cup may have suffered a  dented  following the injury suffered by Moses Simon in the international friendly with Mali on Tuesday night.

Started Simon wrongly

The French Ligue 1 club, announced yesterday that Moses  Simon has been ruled out of the season following an injury he sustained in Nigeria’s 2-0 loss to Mali on Tuesday. 

However, Head Coach George started him in the second game against Mali. Unfortunately, the night did not go as planned. Simon had to be helped off the pitch in the 33rd minute after a collision with the goalkeeper. Despite the treatment from the Super Eagles medical staff, he could not continue. He was eventually replaced by Cyriel Dessers,  but Nigeria lost the game 2-0.

After the game, coach Finidi George confirmed that Simon had been taken to the hospital to ascertain the extent of the injury.

In a new development, Nantes revealed yesterday that Simon fractured his fibula.

The injury will keep Simon sidelined for at least three months, effectively ruling him out of the Nantes’ season. Also, in a further blow for Nigeria, the 28-year-old winger will miss the 2026 World Cup qualifiers game against South Africa.

The injury comes at a very bad time for Nantes, because they currently sit 16th in the Ligue 1 and are in danger of relegation. 

Simon already has 22 league appearance for Nantes this season, and with eight games left until the end of the season, coach Antoine Kombouare will have to find a replacement.