Pace-setter for the Super Eagles, Moses Simon, has revealed his hardships that he faced while striving to realize his ambition of becoming a footballer and how he survived on garri and water.
The Paris FC star revealed the truth during an interview with Urban Well Sports, where he talked about the sacrifices, hunger and determination that got him where he is today.
The down period spurred him on to pursue a career in the NFL, the 29-year old said.
Life as an unpaid trialist
Simon said that he had been at Rangers for almost three months as a trial player with no salary or contract.
He said that he only ate well once a day as they didn’t have much money, the rest of the meals were garri and water.
That he wouldn’t be put off and was focused on getting the best out of all the training.
He remained consistent and his dream lived on.
The Super Eagles “killer” said that he was one of the highlights of the trialists and always a delight for the coaches and the fans.
But his performances meant that he stayed with the team throughout the trials, although many players were dropped in the screening process, Simon said.
He explained that during one of the toughest periods of his life, he kept going and had faith in himself, and thus found his way through it.
Playing games for the sake of food at the market for fruits and fish
Besides being a football player, Simon went on to say that he had to do a few jobs to support himself during his football career.
He went to school and played football, he was a farmer at Kaduna, he would sell tomatoes, fish and he would carry farm produce on his head,” he said.
The Nigerian international said the years were some of the “hardest” of his life but these years have made him “stronger”.
Determined to help the next generation
Simon was inspired to help young footballers who have similar experiences to him.
He says there are lots of young talent that need opportunity and encouragement to achieve their potential.
He urged the players to not give up saying, “do not give up, losses should not be an obstacle for players to become great players, they should be disciplined and have faith.