Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has made a striking allegation, claiming that Enugu Rangers turned him away during his early career not because of his ability, but because of his ethnicity.

Speaking in an interview with UrbanDwellSport, Simon revealed that he spent three months on trial with the Flying Antelopes — performing well enough, he believed, to earn a professional contract. He even captained what he described as the "screening" team during that period.

"I went to Rangers and trained with them for three months. I wasn't signed but I was training with them. In fact, I was the captain of the 'screening' team," Simon said.

Despite the positive impressions he made on the coaching staff, Simon says the opportunity was taken from him for reasons that had nothing to do with football.

"I've never told anyone this story, this is the first time, but it was a disgrace. I was dropped because I was not Igbo. I was there for three months and a guy came — I have forgotten his name, he's an Ibo guy — he just trained one week and they signed him, professional contract. They said because I was from the north or something."

The Paris FC forward's account shines a light on an uncomfortable reality that has long existed in Nigerian club football — the use of ethnic identity as an unofficial criterion for player selection.

Simon has since gone on to build a distinguished career, representing Nigeria at the highest level and becoming a consistent presence in the Super Eagles squad. His journey, despite the early setback at Enugu Rangers, stands as a testament to his determination.