Paris FC winger Moses Simon has expressed excitement over the growing competition within the Super Eagles squad ahead of Monday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash against Mozambique's Mambas.

In the final group game against Uganda, manager Eric Chelle made several changes, handing Afcon debuts to four players Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Tochukwu Nnadi and Salim Lawal.

Fringe players such as Paul Onuachu, Francis Uzoho, Raphael Onyedika, and Chidozie Awaziem were also given the chance to stake their claim for a starting position.

Despite resting several key players, the Super Eagles delivered their most convincing performance so far at the 2025 Afcon, thrashing the Cranes 3-1 thanks to a second half brace from Onyedika and Onuachu's first half opener.

Simon has made just one start at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, with former African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman ahead of him in Chelle's pecking order.

Commenting on the increasing competition in the Super Eagles team, Simon told Austin Okon Akpan's YouTube channel: "Yes, actually, you can see everyone is ready to play, which is really good. Every position has competition, and especially yesterday, you could see it for yourself.

"For me, that is something great and reflects well on the coach, who is doing a good job by inviting these players to the team."

He added: "I am really proud, we have a strong team. We have a strong group and of course, everyone is doing well.

"Everyone is fighting, you can see how we played in the three games which is really good for the nation."

Looking ahead to Monday's round of 16 clash with Mozambique, Simon stated: "Of course, the round of 16 is do your best. We cannot try to win, we just want to win because every game counts, give everything, the win matters."

With 91 appearances for the Super Eagles since his debut a decade ago, Simon is the second most capped player in the current squad, trailing only Alex Iwobi.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel