No doubt that on the whole it has been a bad week for Nigerian football as, despite starting favourites to make it through, the Super Eagles were unable to progress past the Black Stars of Ghana in their World Cup Finals playoff. That disappointment has no doubt taken much of the excitement out of the coming tournament for Nigerian fans, and whilst many may still tune in and bet on the event, others may turn their attention to alternative investment options such as Trading Forex , in order to inject a little interest and profit potential into November and December.
Putting the team disappointment aside, the season certainly isn’t over with just yet for the nations more talented individuals. Star man Victor Osimhen finds himself in with a very realistic opportunity of claiming the Serie A title in what has been a fine first season with Napoli, whilst over in France, Moses Simon is a live contender for the highly coveted Marc-Vivien Foé Award.
Established in 2009 and named in honour of the Lens, Lyon and Cameroon great, this award is handed to the best player currently playing in Ligue 1 who also represents an African National side. Won by the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gervinho in the past, the prize has fallen to a Nigerian international on two occasions – Vincent Enyeama lifting the gong when with Lille in 2014, and Victor Osimhen claiming top spot for his influential 2020 campaign, also with Lille.
If there is to be a Nigerian joining that roll of honour in 2022, then the man to do it will have to be Moses Simon - with the Nantes man the only Super Eagle amongst the final twelve nominations. Enjoying his third campaign with “The Canaries”, Simon’s exploits down the left, and also when deployed further inside, are a major reason why Nantes find themselves in with a shot at the European positions. Chipping in three goals, and a team leading seven assists, the 50 times capped, former Gent man is experiencing his best season in the yellow shirt. Already picking up his side’s player of the month awards for August and September, it wouldn’t be the greatest shock were he to grab this honour ahead of some pretty big names.
Morocco are the most heavily represented nation in the final dozen, with Yunis Abdelhamid, Nayef Aguerd, Sofiane Boufal and Achraf Hakimi all shortlisted, whilst Senegal’s Idrissa Gana Gueye is many peoples idea of the winner on the back of his steady displays at the heart of the PSG midfield. Also in contention are the evergreen Wahbi Khazri of Tunisia, Guinea’s Mohamed Bayo, Seko Fofana of the Ivory Coast, Gabon man Mario Lemina, Cameroon’s Karl Toko-Ekambi and Hamari Traoré of Rennes. A pretty talented list all in all, and one which - whether Simon wins or otherwise - suggests that African representation in the French top flight is as strong as ever.
Putting the team disappointment aside, the season certainly isn’t over with just yet for the nations more talented individuals. Star man Victor Osimhen finds himself in with a very realistic opportunity of claiming the Serie A title in what has been a fine first season with Napoli, whilst over in France, Moses Simon is a live contender for the highly coveted Marc-Vivien Foé Award.
Established in 2009 and named in honour of the Lens, Lyon and Cameroon great, this award is handed to the best player currently playing in Ligue 1 who also represents an African National side. Won by the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gervinho in the past, the prize has fallen to a Nigerian international on two occasions – Vincent Enyeama lifting the gong when with Lille in 2014, and Victor Osimhen claiming top spot for his influential 2020 campaign, also with Lille.
If there is to be a Nigerian joining that roll of honour in 2022, then the man to do it will have to be Moses Simon - with the Nantes man the only Super Eagle amongst the final twelve nominations. Enjoying his third campaign with “The Canaries”, Simon’s exploits down the left, and also when deployed further inside, are a major reason why Nantes find themselves in with a shot at the European positions. Chipping in three goals, and a team leading seven assists, the 50 times capped, former Gent man is experiencing his best season in the yellow shirt. Already picking up his side’s player of the month awards for August and September, it wouldn’t be the greatest shock were he to grab this honour ahead of some pretty big names.
Morocco are the most heavily represented nation in the final dozen, with Yunis Abdelhamid, Nayef Aguerd, Sofiane Boufal and Achraf Hakimi all shortlisted, whilst Senegal’s Idrissa Gana Gueye is many peoples idea of the winner on the back of his steady displays at the heart of the PSG midfield. Also in contention are the evergreen Wahbi Khazri of Tunisia, Guinea’s Mohamed Bayo, Seko Fofana of the Ivory Coast, Gabon man Mario Lemina, Cameroon’s Karl Toko-Ekambi and Hamari Traoré of Rennes. A pretty talented list all in all, and one which - whether Simon wins or otherwise - suggests that African representation in the French top flight is as strong as ever.