Club Stands Firm, Super Eagles Lose Key Player for Crucial Friendly
The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has been dealt a significant setback ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations preparations. Vice-captain Moses Simon will not be available for the international friendly against Egypt scheduled for December 14. This development stems from a firm decision by his French club, Paris FC, which has refused to release its African players before the stipulated date of December 14.
Scheduling Conflict Creates Availability Crisis
The highly anticipated test match against the Pharaohs of Egypt is a key part of the team's final preparations for AFCON 2025, which kicks off in Morocco on December 21. Simon, a 29-year-old experienced attacker, is considered a vital component of head coach Eric Chelle's offensive strategy and is widely expected to be named in the final squad for the tournament. However, the congested European football calendar has created a direct clash with the AFCON window, casting doubt on his and other players' timely arrival.
According to reports from RMC Sport, Paris FC's policy is clear: no early release for its African internationals. Since the friendly against Egypt falls exactly on December 14, Simon is required to remain with his club in France until that very day, effectively eliminating any possibility of him participating in the match. A change in the fixture date appears highly unlikely at this stage.
Broader Issue Affects Multiple Super Eagles Stars
The problem of player availability is not isolated to Moses Simon. Nigeria is likely to face Egypt without several other key players based in England's Premier League. The situation highlights a growing logistical challenge for African national teams.
Fulham trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze are all expected to be involved in a league fixture against Burnley on December 13. Similarly, Tolu Arokodare's Wolverhampton Wanderers have an away match at Arsenal on the same weekend. The conflict extends to Brentford's midfielder, Frank Onyeka, who is also unlikely to be released as his club faces Leeds United on December 14.
This scheduling dilemma is a continent-wide issue. Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history, is facing similar uncertainty. The Egyptian Football Association has reportedly contacted clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City to seek clarity on the availability of stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, but formal responses are still pending. This situation sets the stage for a friendly match that may see both sides missing their core European-based contingents.
