Moses Simon: I was dropped because of tribalism at Rangers

Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has opened up on the challenges he faced with Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, including champions Rangers International, during the early stages of his football career. The Paris FC forward recounted his difficult three-month spell at the Enugu-based club in an interview with Urban Dwell Sport while spending his summer […]

Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has opened up on the challenges he faced with Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, including champions Rangers International, during the early stages of his football career.

The Paris FC forward recounted his difficult three-month spell at the Enugu-based club in an interview with Urban Dwell Sport while spending his summer holidays in Nigeria.

The veteran international, who has made more than 90 appearances for the Super Eagles, reflected on his early football journey, including his time in the Netherlands with Ajax Amsterdam, short spells in Slovakia and Belgium, before eventually making his breakthrough at Nantes.

The 30-year-old said he endured difficult experiences while seeking contracts with clubs such as Dolphins FC, Rangers International, Kwara United and Warri Wolves, where he claimed his small stature worked against him.

Speaking about his time at Rangers, Simon said he joined over 200 players who were undergoing trials after the club advertised for strikers.

“At Rangers it was hell because they needed strikers. So I went there as a striker and found out we were more than 200 players, all strikers. I remember coach [Okey] Emordi saying, ‘A good player can play anywhere, so I don’t care where you come from, I just need to pick.’ So I raised my hand that I could play as a No. 10, and he agreed,” Simon said.

He added that although he impressed during the trials, he remained with the club for nearly three months without being offered a contract or salary.

“I stayed at Rangers for almost three months, no salary. Nobody knows how we ate at night. I was living in the camp.

“I ate once a day in the afternoon. In the morning and at night, I ate okpa with water for months while they kept saying, ‘We’ll pay you salary, don’t worry.’ But they didn’t pay because they had not signed me.

“I became part of the people that screened new players. I became the captain of the screeners. When the supporters came, they kept shouting, ‘Where is that onye Hausa?’ But unfortunately I was not signed.

“It is a disgrace. That year, I was dropped because I was not Igbo. That was just tribalism. I was there for three months, then an Igbo guy came, trained for one week and they signed him on a professional contract. They told me they did not sign me because I was from the North,” he alleged.

Simon, a Kaduna-based Benue native, also recalled an unpleasant experience at Kwara United, saying he was dropped while travelling to training.

Reflecting on his journey, he said he combined football with farming and petty trading to survive.

“I made a lot of sacrifices. I don’t even know which one hurts the most. I was a farmer while playing football. I sold tomatoes for a living, sold fish too.

“I farmed here in Kaduna, carried produce on my head, all while still going to school and playing football.”

 

Rangers reject claims

Reacting in a statement signed by its General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Amobi Ezeaku, Rangers International said it had taken note of Simon’s comments but maintained that the club has never operated any policy of discrimination based on ethnicity, tribe, religion or place of origin.

“While we respect every player’s right to recount his personal journey, it is important to clearly state that Rangers International FC has never maintained, and does not maintain, any policy of discrimination based on ethnicity, tribe, religion or place of origin,” the statement said.

The club stated that although it is rooted in Enugu and the South-East, it has, for more than five decades, remained a national institution, fielding players, coaches and officials from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.

According to the club, recruitment has always been based on footballing ability, character, discipline and commitment rather than ethnic identity.

“Thousands of players have passed through Rangers over the years. Some earned contracts, others did not. Such decisions are part of football and are influenced by numerous sporting, technical and administrative considerations,” the statement added.

Rangers said it would be inaccurate to portray the club as one that discriminates against players because of their ethnicity, stressing that its men’s, women’s and youth teams continue to provide opportunities for talented players from across Nigeria and other countries.

The club reaffirmed its commitment to equal opportunities for all players, regardless of ethnic background, religion or geographical origin.

“The values that define this great club are excellence, integrity, discipline, hard work and unity,” it said, describing Rangers as “a symbol of national integration where talent speaks louder than tribe and performance remains the ultimate criterion for opportunity.”