Simon: Nantes X-factor

Like Moses in the Bible, taking the lead and parting the ‘Red Sea’ isn’t new to Super Eagles forward, Moses Simon.

For the umpteenth time in his career at Nantes, the Nigerian is playing the lead role for the Canaries in the French Ligue 1, with four goals and four assists – a uniform goal contribution which puts him head and shoulder above the rest of his teammates this season.

His fourth goal of the season received quite the attention although it’s not the first time the 29-year-old winger has scored such a goal.

With their Breton derby against Stade Rennes heading for another potentially damaging draw, Simon changed the course of the game in the 89th minute with an individual effort – taking on three Rennes players in their red shirts before unleashing a finish into the far corner.

The goal made the entire Stade de la Beaujoire vibrate, and Nantes were out of the relegation zone thanks to Moses, whose goal secured their third win of the season – their first win since August 31 away at Montpellier.

The Canaries are currently 13th in the Ligue 1 with 14 points in as many games, winning three, drawing five and losing six.

When the Nigerian is not scoring, he is also assisting. That has seen him register two goals and one assist in their last six games. This season, his contributions have earned the club six points, excluding matches he also scored when they lost or won with more than a goal.

Having failed in their last 10 league games, Sunday’s win provided a fresh breath of air for Nantes and their fans.

Simon is currently the top scorer and playmaker for the club in the 2024/25 season and he could also be on his way to bettering his scoring record at the club, where he is currently in his sixth season.

Last season, no thanks to an injury that hampered him in March, he had three goals and five assists in 22 league games and his best return so far for Nantes in six years was in the 2021/22 season when he provided six goals and eight assists in 30 league games.

At his current return rate this season, the 29-year-old seems more than ever to embody the X-factor character that he has played in recent years but he is more concerned about the club’s progress.

“For me, it is not important. What is important is winning. The X-factor is the whole team,” Moses said via Football Ligue 1.

Almost three years ago, Moses scored the same goal, at the same moment in a match against Lens, sparking a sense of deja vu among their fans and coach.

“He is committed to scoring a goal like that more than once a season,” said Nantes coach Antoine Kombouaré

“He had the physical resource at this moment of the match to pass like a dragster and the lucidity to put the ball deep. It turned into an exploit.

“When you are in tough conditions, you can score on a set piece or an individual feat, that of Matthis Abline (Paris) or Simon in a form like this,” said Kombouaré.

Sunday’s win must have brought a relief for Simon and his teammates, and they will hope to build on that when they face Brest away on Sunday.