Simon nursing ankle injury – Nantes coach

Nantes coach Antoine Kombouaré has revealed that the club are managing an ankle problem for Nigerian forward Moses Simon, making him a doubt for the Super Eagles crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.

The Super Eagles have already been hit by one injury concern ahead of the qualifiers with Bayer Leverkusen forward pulling out while Gent defender Jordan Torunarigha was called up to replace him.

Simon is now a doubt for Nantes clash against Lille on Saturday while Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will also be worried about his fitness.

“He hasn’t trained all week. He stayed in the gym Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but he completed the session today,” Kombouaré said ahead of the clash.

“His ankle is still hurting. There’s obviously some concern. We’re managing it, but for him, it’s complicated.”

His fitness has been a concern since he played only the final 20 minutes of their 1-0 defeat against Strasbourg last weekend.

Simon has been Nantes’ best player this season with 13 goal contributions (six goals and seven assists) and they risk facing Lille without their most prolific player.

Nantes are battling to stay clear of the relegation zone, currently 14th with 24 points—just three points above the drop zone.

The winger suffered a fractured fibula last March, which sidelined him for over four months. In December, he underwent surgery to remove screws implanted during his recovery, but he continues to experience discomfort.

Nigeria will face Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21 before returning to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo to face Zimbabwe on Tuesday, March 25, in a bid to revive their World Cup qualification bid.

If Simon eventually pulls out of Nigeria’s squad for the clashes, coach Eric Chelle might have to look for direct or similar replacements in attack or still use the chance to add one more midfielder to the team.