‘I was there also when they kicked us out’ - Moses Simon claims Super Eagles are not aiming for revenge

Nigeria prepare to face Algeria's Fennec Foxes in the AFCON 2025 quarter-final at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday. 

The last time these two nations met in the Africa Cup of Nations was in the 2019 semi-final, where a stunning 95th-minute free-kick from Riyad Mahrez sent Algeria to the final. 

The Fennec Foxes went on to lift the trophy after defeating Senegal, while Nigeria settled for a bronze medal against Tunisia.

Despite the painful memory of that last-gasp defeat, Simon, who has earned 91 caps for his country, stated that the current squad is focused on the future, not the past.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the Paris FC player acknowledged the 2019 encounter but emphasised a shift in the team's mindset. 

"Of course, we are aware. I was there also when they kicked us out of the semis," Simon said. "He's a different player, a different mindset," he added, referring to Algeria's captain, Riyad Mahrez.

"At the same time, it's different for Nigerian players as well," Simon continued. "Now, we have a lot of young players. We are motivated. 

“We want to win. We are not going to try to win; we want to win. We don't have anything about revenge in our mindset. We just want to play."

When asked if North African teams pose a particular challenge, especially with the tournament being held in Morocco, Simon dismissed the notion. 

"I cannot tell you the North African teams are teams that are giving us trouble because we, too, are a team that gives them trouble," he asserted. 

"I think not the last game, we beat the Tunisian team. Of course, the Tunisian team is one of the best in Africa."

Meanwhile, Moses Simon has hailed Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as Africa’s best but insists unity and winning matter most for the Super Eagles at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.