Moses Simon on what impresses him about Akor Adams, why Super Eagles are a work in progress

Nigeria’s Super Eagles may have just delivered their most commanding performance of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but Moses Simon insists the tournament favourites are still a work in progress despite their emphatic 4-0 demolition of Mozambique in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.

Akor Adams was one of the central figures in Monday night’s Round of 16 rout, producing his best display in a Super Eagles shirt with a goal and two assists as Nigeria swept into the quarter-finals, where they will face either Algeria or DR Congo.

Yet even on a night of overwhelming Nigerian superiority, Adams did not walk away with the Man-of-the-Match award. That honour went to Ademola Lookman, who also contributed a goal and two assists in a performance that showed Nigeria’s frightening attacking depth.

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Still, for Simon, the real story went beyond the numbers.

More than Adams’ goal, it was the striker’s tireless work-rate, movement and commitment to the team cause that impressed Paris FC winger Simon, and the joy of seeing him finally open his AFCON account.

“He is always there,” Simon told Soccernet.ng.

“He always fights for the team right from the beginning and I'm happy for him. He has his goal which is good for him and a great motivation for him as well.”

The Super Eagles had gone into the tie as favourites, but few expected the Mambas to be so comprehensively dismantled.

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Super Eagles, a work in progress – Moses Simon

Mozambique had arrived in the knockout rounds with genuine belief. They had pushed African giants Ivory Coast and Cameroon to the limit earlier in the competition and had even produced a thrilling 3-2 victory over Gabon.

For a team making their first-ever appearance in the AFCON knockout stage, the Mambas had talked boldly about upsetting the odds against Nigeria.

Instead, they ran into a Super Eagles side in full flight.

Eric Chelle’s men seized control from the opening whistle and never loosened their grip, scoring twice in each half in a display of pace, power and ruthless efficiency. In the process, Nigeria became the first team in the tournament to score four goals in Morocco and the first Nigerian side in history to win their opening four matches at an AFCON.

It was the kind of performance that sends a message to the rest of the continent, and one that strengthens the feeling that this Super Eagles squad may finally be ready to reclaim the title they last won in 2013.

Yet Simon, one of the senior voices in the dressing room, is determined not to let the mood drift into complacency.

While delighted with the team’s first clean sheet of the tournament and the attacking fluency on display, he believes there is still another level Nigeria must reach if they are to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

“This win means a lot,” Simon added.

“Most important thing is the clean sheet, four goals. It was a great game for the boys, a great game for everyone. Of course we worked towards it this week and you can see we achieved it. We just have to contine work towards it and we keep working hard as usual. Step by step to progress also because I think we are not yet there. We are still working towards it.”

Nigeria were champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, and came agonisingly close to a fourth crown at the last edition in Ivory Coast, only to fall in the final to the hosts.