Paris FC of France winger, Moses Simon has come out with a revelation about three ‘secret factors’ that made it possible for him to get 100 appearances for Nigeria’s national team – saying it was through support from his family, friends and journalists.

Sports247 reports that the former AS Trenčín of Slovakia, KK Gent of Belgium, Levante of Spain and FC Nantes of France made the disclosure after receiving a commemorative framed jersey from officials of Nigeria Football Feeration (NFF) and National Sports Comission (NSC).

Simon, who played for the under-20 national team, Flying Eagles from 2013 to 2015 and has 12 goals at senior level, disclosed further that all coaches he has played under in the Eagles and Nigerian football fans also played key roles in helping him reach the centenary milestone.

The dark-skinned attacker, who already owns a vastly popular football academy in Kaduna, added that he never imagined that he would get 100 caps with the national, which he achieved as a 61st minute substitute against Madagascar on Friday.

The 31-year-old winger retorted with glee, “First of all I would like to say thanks to the coach for the opportunity. Thanks too to every coach that gave me this opportunity and also thanks to all the journalists. Of course, this gave me joy.

“It’s a great privilege to play for the Super Eagles. It’s a dream come true. I never believed that I will be there. I never believed that I will play 100 games. I just believe one thing – whenever I’m called up, I will be there to give my 100 percent.

“The secret to my 100 caps is my family, my friends, Nigerians and the journalists (who give us publicity at home and abroad). When I see the passion journalists have for football, I’m ready to give everything.”

Sports247 reports further that Simon, who is a product of GBS Academy, the same football centre in Plateau State that produced Ahmed Musa, was born in Jos and his father served in the Nigerian Army before his retirement.

Simon was initially linked with Kaduna United in the Nigerian league as well as Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur of England, but signed a pre-agreement with Ajax Amsterdam of Netherlands on May 10th, 2013, with a view toawards joining them to join them fully after featuring in pre-season training.

However, after a couple of appearances in friendlies with Ajax, the Dutch club decided on July 25th, 2013 that they would not sign him, which paved the way for his move to AS Trenčín of Slovakia, which was at that time owned by a former player of the Amsterdam giants, Tschen La Ling.

Simon got his Super Eagles’ debut under ex-international striker and assistant head coach, Daniel Amokachi on March 25th, 2015 in a friendly against Uganda, when he replaced Anthony Ujah after 59 minutes, then scored his first goal for Nigeria against Niger Republic on September 8th, 2015 in another build-up game.

The Taraba State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has denied endorsing the APGA governorship candidate, Danjuma Usman Shiddi, popularly known as Danji SS, for the 2027 election.

The association made the clarification on Saturday in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Jibrin Umar Ala, following the circulation of a publication on social media purportedly announcing its endorsement of Shiddi.

MACBAN described the publication as false, saying it did not emanate from the association and did not represent its position on the 2027 governorship election.

According to the statement, the association engages with relevant stakeholders and government authorities in Taraba in pursuit of peace and development, but has not endorsed any candidate for the forthcoming governorship election.

“While our organisation in Taraba State engages with all relevant actors and government towards peace and development, we have not endorsed any candidate for the 2027 governorship election,” it said.

The association also distanced itself from the purported endorsement, stressing that any decision to support a candidate would only be taken after broad consultations with its members across the state.

“Endorsement of candidates, if and when necessary, is done only after wide and due consultations with our members across the state, and the same has not taken place,” MACBAN stated.

The association said it remained focused on the welfare of its members as well as the peace and development of Taraba State.

It added that while it welcomed candidates committed to the development of the state, its members retained the individual right to support and vote for candidates of their choice.

MACBAN consequently urged members of the public to disregard the publication purporting to announce its endorsement of Shiddi.