Nigeria winger Moses Simon has played down suggestions of tension within the Super Eagles camp following a widely discussed on-pitch exchange between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
The incident occurred during Nigeria’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the round of 16, sparking speculation of a possible rift just days before the Super Eagles’ quarter-final showdown with Algeria.
Addressing the media ahead of Saturday’s clash, Simon moved quickly to reassure fans and observers that the squad remains united and fully focused on the task ahead.
“It’s a team play. We are all a team and of course we are united as you can see,” Simon said. He also highlighted the stature of the players involved, adding, “We play for them; they are the two African Best Players.”
The winger stressed that individual accolades mean little at this stage of the competition, with the collective goal taking priority.
“We are working altogether as a team. So there is no time for who is the best and who is not the best,” he explained. “The most important thing is that the team is the best. We just want to win.”
Simon’s comments aim to shift attention away from off-field narratives and firmly onto Nigeria’s pursuit of continental glory, as the Super Eagles prepare for a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Algeria.