“In the team of the tournament” – Fans shower praises on exciting Super Eagles star after another excellent showing

Several players have excelled for Nigeria at the 33rd edition of the continental championship, but none has been as outstanding as Nantes livewire forward

Nantes ace Moses Simon has been by a country mile the most outstanding footballer in the Super Eagles squad if comments from fans on social media are anything to go by.

Simon has been a breath of fresh air for a team not given much of a chance to excel at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after missing the quality of qualifying top scorer Victor Osimhen, last tournament's top scorer Odion Ighalo and the Belgian league top scorer Paul Onuachu.

Aside from his exciting plays on the flanks, the 26-year-old has contributed significantly to four of the six goals the Eagles have struck in Cameroon.

Simon's cross led to Nigeria's winner against Egypt. He assisted Samuel Chukwueze's opener versus Sudan before scoring a sublime third in the 3-1 defeat of the Falcons of Jediane.

And Simon created Nigeria's crucial second goal in the 2-0 humbling of Guinea-Bissau, with his snap shot following a Messi-like mazy run ricocheting off the crossbar and allowing William Troost-Ekong to tap home from close range.

In addition to his assist, Simon, who spent only 33 minutes on the pitch, was again on overdrive, completing seven dribbles and winning seven duels.

CAF named Troost-Ekong as the game's man of the match, but Simon ended with the highest rating of any player on both sides, as per Whoscored.

And many fans, who took to Twitter to express their thoughts, believe the Nantes star has already played himself into the team of the tournament.

“Moses Simon is in the team of the tournament already after 3 matches” 

Moses Simon is in the team of the tournament already after 3 matches

— IG »»» officialzeez (@iamzeezaga) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon doing his thing, quick legs all together, now the best dribbler in AFCON presently #GNBNGA pic.twitter.com/M5bfEIYJwh

— Olaoluwa 🇺🇸 (@olaoluwa_fm) January 19, 2022

🤯 MOSES SIMON🇳🇬 IS ON FIRE! 🔥

What an Africa Cup of Nations he's having! 👏#TeamGuineaBissau 0⃣-2⃣ #TeamNigeria

#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #GNBNGApic.twitter.com/sde51Hzo0W

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 19, 2022

I'm sorry for all the criticism I dished out to you Under Gernot Rohr. You are my player of the tournament just after 3 games. Moses Simon 🙌🙌🙌#TeamNigeria#SoarSuperEagles #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/WaXulOD2rp

— Hassan Odunayo Ruth (@ruth_odunayo) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon 🙆🏿‍♂️🙆🏿‍♂️🙆🏿‍♂️🔥🔥

— Chimezie Metu™ (@Chimezie_Metu) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon Moses Simon Moses Simon Moses Simon Moses Simon Moses Simon Moses Simon Moses Simon Moses Simon Moses Simon

What a guy, What a dribble 😭

— Anthony Not Joshua 🇬🇧 (@Thefrogkilller) January 19, 2022

Gernot Rohr almost make us believe Moses Simon is a finished player, what a talent 👏

— OMOTAYO Of Lagos 💥 (@Tee_Classiquem1) January 19, 2022

Simon has been pulling off Austin Okocha-like dribbles in Cameroon, making himself a nightmare for defenders of Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau.

It is what he has been doing all season for Nantes in France, but fans particularly like the stunts he created against the Wild Dog.

Damn!!!!

How I wish Moses Simon's shot went in,

It would have been the goal of the tournament.

What a player, what a dribble, what a shot!!!

— Man City Principal 🚀 🚀 (@BarcaPrincipal) January 19, 2022

Moses simon have okocha vibes, comrade wey sabi. pic.twitter.com/pLtxLKwTfw

— Obi Cubana (@ObiCubanason) January 19, 2022

If that shot had gone in for Moses Simon that goal would have won best goal of the tournament

— Otaru Micheal (@OtaruMicheal) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon deserved that goal !!!

— Akorede (@koredebello) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon almost with the goal of the tournament pic.twitter.com/YDec40coBw

— Betweysure ( Free Betting tips Platform ) (@Betweysure) January 19, 2022

If uno ball, you will understand what Moses Simon is doing is extraordinary, dribbling and pacing in Africa tournaments is hard asf,

Defenders will tackle roughly, referee will look away compare to Europe.

— Anthony Not Joshua 🇬🇧 (@Thefrogkilller) January 19, 2022

Simon has been at Nantes for a while now, becoming arguably the Yellow Canaries' best performer.

Some fans are rooting for him to move to the Premier League as they are convinced his skill-sets make him the ideal player to shine in the world's most glamorous league. 

Perfect time to remind you all what Moses Simon is capable of, Proper Premier League material 🚀pic.twitter.com/RMeuhZUrjC

— Yimzy (@YimzyAgain) January 20, 2022

We need Moses Simon in Chelsea ASAP

— Jay (@Jayslym007) January 19, 2022

Would like to see Moses Simon in the Premier League next season. If Emmanuel Dennis is killing it, he's capable of doing even better. #AFCON2021

— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon >>> Hudson Odoi.

— IRREPLACEABLE (@Laxix6) January 19, 2022

And certain fans cannot have enough of the winger's dripping magic.

Moses Simon:

He deserves a bed of ROSES
For playing even better than he POSES
Giving Nigerians joy in different DOSES
Let's celebrate Simon MOSES.#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/dsN9o9BgSp

— #BookOfAHundredRhymes (@ChumaNnoli) January 19, 2022

Guinea Bissau said they would rather die than lose to Nigeria.
Moses Simon took it personal. Man destroyed the careers of family men.

— Chairmo of The Lion Kingdom (@TundeEddnut) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon >>>> Hudson-Odoi pic.twitter.com/oDYTIHY0YT

— DollyPee Chelsea First Lady 💙💙💙 (@therealdollypee) January 19, 2022

The dancing shoes from Moses Simon here… What a tournament he's having.#TeamNigeria have also now scored six goals in an AFCON group stages for the first time since back in 2004. pic.twitter.com/DhV4XRfoBF

— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon just dey clear road like Red Sea

Sabi boy pic.twitter.com/J7bkz2UrSe

— The retweeter (@guru_kalexis) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon is ruthless. Small thing "pick 2, pick 2, hold on, general market and last card" 😂😂

— Amara Nwankpa (@Nwankpa_A) January 19, 2022

Moses Simon. Unplayable, unstoppable, unbelievable. Blast!! pic.twitter.com/AcEoSxzbXB

— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) January 19, 2022

Nigeria continue to be a joy to watch at this tournament. Moses Simon has been absolutely sublime. What a Group Stage they have had 🔥🇳🇬

— Jack Collins (@jackjcollins) January 19, 2022

After winning all three group games – for only the second time in history – Nigeria made it to the Round of 16 as one of the favourites tipped to go all the way. Simon's top form could be vital to the Super Eagles title hopes.