Nigeria vs Cameroon: Moses Simon ready to send Nantes teammate Castelletto packing

On Saturday evening, Nigeria and Cameroon are set to clash in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake.

The match already held significant importance as two African football powerhouses faced off. However, Moses Simon, aged 28 and representing Nigeria, has added a personal dimension to the game.

In a unique twist, Simon will find himself on the opposite side of the pitch from his FC Nantes teammate, Jean-Charles Castelletto, aged 29, who plays for Cameroon. Simon couldn't resist engaging in a bit of friendly trash-talk ahead of the match.

During a press conference held on Friday, Simon injected some extra excitement into the encounter between these neighboring nations and fierce football rivals. He stated, "I spoke with Jean-Charles about the match. One of us will return to Nantes. But tomorrow, it’ll be him returning."

This comment has certainly heightened the anticipation surrounding the match, adding an intriguing personal rivalry element to the game.

The history between Nigeria and Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations dates back to 1984 when Cameroon secured their first-ever trophy by defeating Nigeria in the final, marking the beginning of a longstanding derby between the two teams.