Super Eagles winger Moses Simon is the steadiest option Eric Chelle has to replace the injured Ademola Lookman on Nigeria’s left for Tuesday’s AFCON 2027 qualifier against Tanzania in Zanzibar.
A scan confirmed a sprained knee ligament for the Atlético Madrid forward after Friday’s 3-1 win in Uyo, ruling him out of the return game. Soccernet reported on the scan verdict on Lookman’s knee earlier on Sunday.
Simon, 31, was the man Chelle sent on when Lookman went off late in the first half in Uyo, and he played the rest of the game on the left as Nigeria pulled away.
The Uyo shift that started the debate
Alhassan Yusuf put Nigeria ahead inside two minutes before Tanzania levelled on 32 minutes. Tolu Arokodare then scored twice after half-time, on 52 and 60 minutes, to settle it.
That second half also gave Chelle a look at his other options. Moses Usor, the LASK Linz forward, has made all three of his Nigeria appearances from the bench and has a goal and an assist to show for them, with four goals and five assists in 17 games for club and country this season. His half-time impact in Uyo has made him the like-for-like candidate in some eyes.
Simon’s case is different. The Paris FC winger has not scored for his club or his country this season, so it rests on what he gives the side without the ball, on his pace and on his experience of nights like Tuesday.
Analysis: Why experience should edge it in Zanzibar
This is a group game, not the second half of a tie, and the margin in Uyo counts for nothing on Tuesday. Nigeria have six points, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, and a draw in Zanzibar would leave them chasing in March.
Away from home, against a side with nothing to lose as co-hosts already through, the first job on the flanks is to stop Tanzania building momentum. Simon’s work rate and his habit of tracking back suit that job better than a younger player still learning the role at this level.
Usor offers more end product, and his numbers this season are the better ones. That makes him the stronger option from the bench, when Tanzania tire and spaces open, rather than a starter in a ground where Nigeria may need to absorb pressure first.
There is also the question of who plays through the middle. If Arokodare’s brace earns him a start alongside Akor Adams, a wide man who can deliver early balls into the box and defend behind them becomes more valuable, not less.
The Group L picture means Nigeria need all three points, and Chelle’s choice on the left will say a lot about how he plans to get them. Kick-off on Tuesday is at 14:00 WAT.
