Moses Simon has urged Nigerian supporters to remain calm and continue backing the Super Eagles after their hard-fought 2–1 victory over Tanzania in their opening fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Although Nigeria secured maximum points, the encounter was far from straightforward. The Tanzanians put up a determined fight, especially after the interval, forcing the Super Eagles to dig deep to protect their lead.
Reacting after the match, the Paris FC winger dismissed any worries about the narrow margin of victory, stressing that AFCON is a competition where no opponent can be taken lightly.
“Football is never easy, especially at AFCON,” Simon said. “There are no small teams here. The fans should just keep believing and supporting us.”
Simon explained that at this stage of the tournament, performance matters less than results, adding that securing three points in the opening game was the most important objective.
“A win is always positive,” he said. “When you win, you move forward. The key thing is the three points, and we got that.”
Despite Tanzania enjoying periods of control in the second half, Simon maintained that the Super Eagles remained composed and confident throughout the contest, trusting their ability to rise to the occasion.
“We are used to pressure,” he noted. “This is our profession, and we know how to handle it. Nobody was afraid because we always believe we can score and win.”
With the opening hurdle cleared, Simon revealed that the team’s attention has already shifted to their next group clash, as they aim to strengthen their position in the tournament.
“We know it won’t be easy,” he said. “But we don’t play for draws or losses. Every team wants to win, and that’s our mindset.”
The winger also had a message for Nigerian fans following the team’s progress so far.
“We ask them to keep supporting us and keep believing,” Simon said. “We will do everything to make them proud.”
Also Read: Chelle Demands Improvement as Super Eagles Beat Tanzania at AFCON
Three-time AFCON champions Nigeria will next face Tunisia on Saturday, December 27, as they look to build momentum and edge closer to qualification from the group stage.
