(Moses Simon. Photo Credit: Punch News)
Moses Simon, a winger for the Super Eagles, has disclosed that his
father encouraged him to seek a military career and threatened to enlist
if his football aspirations did not come true.
In an interview with Urban Well Sports
that was released on Thursday, Simon revealed this while thinking back
on the challenging path that ultimately made him one of Nigeria's
longest-serving internationals.
The Paris FC forward claimed that his father, a retired military, made
it plain that staying at home was never an option and that self-reliance
and discipline were unavoidable.
"If I didn't succeed in football, my father warned I would have to enlist in the military.
"A son who won't leave home isn't a soldier's son," he remarked. Simon remembered, "Soldiers don't stay at home."
He claimed that throughout times of rejection, such as unsuccessful
trials with other Nigerian clubs and a botched transfer to Ajax, the
ultimatum became a source of inspiration.
He claimed that despite the obstacles, he was unwavering in his resolve to succeed and eventually achieved his breakthrough when Dutch coach Tonnie Bruins Slot, also referred to as Coach Bors, traveled to Kaduna to recruit him.
Before he had even signed a contract, the coach gave the winger ₦200,000, which he characterized as a "life-changing" sum.
He paid me ₦200,000 plus an additional ₦40,000 for transportation. This was 2013, and it was worth considerably more then.
"This man really means business," I recall thinking. He remarked,
"Someone was giving me more than the ₦150,000 my father's house cost."
Simon claimed that before leaving for overseas, he went back home right away to get his father's approval.
"I informed my father what they had given me when I got home, but I didn't bring up the additional ₦40,000.
He continued to work after retirement, earning roughly ₦5,000 per month,
therefore he wasn't home at the time. He said, "This was his son with
₦200,000."
The 29-year-old claimed that he was so stunned by the sum of money that he had trouble sleeping that night.
"I had trouble falling asleep that night. Until daybreak, I stored the cash beneath my pillow.
"My father said the money was mine to decide what to do with after I told him everything when he got home."
However, since I was traveling, we ought to set away some in case I had to return home due to an emergency," he stated.
Years later, Simon reflected on his father's position, saying that the
retired military now leads a far less stressful life than he does.
"I believe that he is now in a better position than I am.
“He has no stress, no pressure. I think I carry more responsibility than he does now,” he said with a laugh.
Simon said his journey from the Kaduna barracks to professional football in Europe taught him that perseverance and discipline eventually pay off despite repeated setbacks.
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