25 year old Guinea-Bissau defender Houboulang Mendes says Nigeria international winger Moses Simon ranks among the most difficult opponents he has faced in his career, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Mendes was up against the Nantes man as Nigeria claim a 1-0 win after a cross from Simon was deflected into the net by a defender attempting to clear the ball. The own goal decided the game in favour of the Super Eagles.
It also seals Nigeria’s spot in the round of 16 while also confirming the exit of Guinea-Bissau from the tournament. Mendes however hold fond memories of their stay at the tournament despite the fact that it was shortlived.
” We had a good experience for the entire team and we are proud of wearing our nation’s color. Not the best way we would have want to exit the tournament but we were not disgraced”, he was quoted as saying by the country’s press.
On the opposition he found hard to deal with in the three games the played at the tournament, he picked Simon as the most difficult not just at the tournament but in his career as a whole.
” He (Simon) keeps coming and trying. Always open to running at you making it hard for you to take up advanced positions high up the pitch. To be honest he ranks among the most difficult I have faced in my career not just at the tournament”, he rounded up saying.
Ade Emmanuel