FC Nantes of France winger, Moses Simon has reacted with disappointment to the confirmation of his absence from Nigeria’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho, saying he loves playing for his country.
Megasportsarena.com reports that international travel restrictions and compulsory quarantine rules imposed on account of coronavirus have caused clubs in France and other European countries to stop their players from reporting to international duty.
That development has stopped Simon from honouring Nigeria’s call to camp for the March 27 visit to Porto Novo and clash with Lesotho three days later at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, thereby leaving the former SK Trencin of Slovakia, KAA Gent of Belgium and Levante of Spain star dejected.
Simon, who grew up in Kaduna and played for the Flying Eagles at New Zealand 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, acknowledged that his club and others feel duty bound to maintain health and safety conditions for their players, but submitted that he still feels so sad not being able to play for the Super Eagles in their upcoming matches.
The 25-year-old Simon added that there should be something like the right balance between club and country to prevent the situation in which players in the top two divisions of French football are stopped from reporting for international fixtures.
Simon told BBC Sport Africa: “It’s actually a sad and disappointing situation because I love to play for my country. It’s an option because we already play friendly games in Europe, but I don’t know if countries will allow this.
“I believe CAF and FIFA can make the right decisions for the players and African football. The challenge is to find the right balance because I understand where the clubs are coming from due to the strict COVID rules in France.
“My club Nantes is struggling and not in a good place, so it’s difficult for the team to allow any of our players to travel. The pandemic has affected everyone and not just footballers, plus our fans would love for us to play at home.
“It’s not going to be easy but I know those in charge of football will find the right balance that fits countries and fits club.”
