Moses Simon said he was neither caged by Tunisians during AFCON nor stopped by Ghana in Kumasi, insisting he played to instructions
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nantes forward, Moses Simon has rubbished innuendos that he was caged by the Black Stars during the stalemate between Nigeria and Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Friday.
The Black Star were held to a 0-0 draw by the Super Eagles during the first leg of their 2022 World Cup qualifier.
The reverse fixture is expected to be played later today at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, and the prize for winning the encounter is a place at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Nigerians have praised the Super Eagles for digging in and coming out of the Kumasi clash with a draw, considering that the Ghanaians were hostile and the stadium is a fortress for the home team.
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But Moses Simon, who was replaced in the encounter for not having much impact on the game, has argued that the tactics employed by the technical crew affected his game.
According to the 26-year-old, contrary to what people feel, he played to instructions, as the mandate from the gaffer was to ensure they do not lose the match in Ghana and win in Nigeria.
“We know how Ghana plays, so we decided to play for a draw because we know when they come here, they will lose,” Moses told the media on Monday.
He also added, “…the game against Ghana, it is tactics because we all know it can be difficult. Of course, you’ll see me in form in tomorrow’s game. We’ll give everything.”
Speaking on his performance against Tunisia in the rounds of 16 of the African Nations Cup (AFCON), the forward refuted the claims that he was caged by the Carthage Eagles.
“The game against Tunisia, I was not caged, if you say I was caged, I didn’t observe it.” Moses Simon claimed.