Moses Simon has become only the fifth footballer to make 100 senior appearances for Nigeria after featuring in the Super Eagles' 2-1 victory over Madagascar in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Paris FC winger reached the landmark in Uyo on Friday, September 25, more than 11 years after making his senior international debut against Uganda on March 25, 2015.

Simon entered the match in the 58th minute as Nigeria fought back from a goal down at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

His appearance placed him alongside Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo and Alex Iwobi in Nigeria's 100-cap club.

The Nigeria Football Federation had confirmed before the match that Simon entered the fixture with 99 senior appearances and 12 goals.

Of those 99 matches, 64 were competitive fixtures and 35 were friendlies.

The winger had also accumulated 23 appearances at Africa Cup of Nations finals and 22 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches before reaching his century.

The milestone came on a successful evening for Nigeria.

Madagascar took the lead in the 16th minute through Clement Couturier before George Ilenikhena equalised in first-half stoppage time on his Super Eagles debut.

Another debutant, Moses Usor, completed the comeback in the 64th minute with the goal that secured all three points for Nigeria.

Simon was introduced six minutes earlier and completed his 100th international appearance as Eric Chelle's side opened the qualifying campaign with victory.

After the game, the winger was presented with a framed jersey bearing his name to mark the milestone.

National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme and presidential aide Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye took part in the presentation.

For Simon, the number represents more than a decade of international football across different coaches, squads and tournaments.

He described reaching 100 appearances as a dream come true and thanked the coaches who had trusted him, as well as his family, friends, journalists and Nigerian supporters.

When the NFF announced plans to honour him before the Madagascar match, Ikpeme described Simon as a player who had shown commitment and dedication to the national team over several years.

One of the early notable moments of Simon's international career came during qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

After Nigeria drew 0-0 away to Swaziland, Simon scored directly from a free-kick in the return leg in Port Harcourt to help put the Super Eagles on the way to a 2-0 victory.

He subsequently became a regular member of Nigeria's squads for continental and World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Reaching 100 caps is particularly notable in international football because national teams play far fewer matches than clubs, meaning players generally need several years of consistent selection to reach the figure.

Simon has now done so after beginning his senior Nigeria career in 2015.

He also remains an active member of the squad, meaning his final international appearance total could rise beyond 100.

His immediate focus will be Nigeria's qualifying campaign.

The victory over Madagascar put the Super Eagles level at the top of their group with Guinea-Bissau, who defeated Tanzania 2-0.

Nigeria's next qualifier is against Guinea-Bissau.

But whatever comes next in the campaign, Friday's match has already secured a place in Simon's personal history.

From his first appearance against Uganda in 2015 to his 100th against Madagascar in 2026, the winger has joined a group that only four Nigerian internationals had entered before him.