Enugu Rangers have dismissed allegations by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon that he was denied a professional contract with the club early in his career because he is not Igbo.
Simon made the claim during an interview with UrbanDwellSport, where he recalled spending three months training with Rangers and believed he had done enough to secure a deal.
The winger said he was eventually overlooked in favour of another player despite his efforts and expectations of earning a contract.
“I went to Rangers and trained with them for three months. I was dropped because I was not Igbo, not because of my performance,” Simon said.
“I spent three months with the team, while another player trained just once and got a professional contract because he was Igbo. I never told anyone these stories. It was the first time. But it is a disgrace.”
Rangers responded swiftly to the allegations, with the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Amobi Ezeaku, issuing a statement titled, “Rangers International Football Club’s Position on Ethnic Inclusion and Social Opportunity.”
In the statement, the club firmly denied that ethnicity has ever played a role in its recruitment decisions.
“Rangers International Football Club has taken note of comments attributed to Super Eagles star Moses Simon regarding his experience during a trial at the club many years ago,” the statement read. “While we respect every player’s right to recount his personal journey, it is important to clearly state that Rangers International FC has never maintained, and does not maintain, any policy of discrimination based on ethnicity, tribe, religion or place of origin.”
“For over five decades, Rangers has stood as one of Nigeria’s foremost national football institutions,” the statement continued. “Although proudly rooted in Enugu and the South-East, the club has always belonged to Nigeria.”
“The club’s recruitment philosophy has always been based on footballing ability, character, discipline and commitment, not ethnic identity. Thousands of players have passed through Rangers over the years. Some earned contracts; others did not,” the statement added.
“Indeed, the present-day Rangers have deliberately strengthened the club’s commitment to professionalism, meritocracy, diversity and inclusion. Rangers remains committed to providing equal opportunities to every talented player regardless of ethnic background, religion or geographical origin.”
Despite his setback with Rangers, Simon’s career followed a different trajectory, as the Jos-born winger, who came through GBS Academy, joined Dutch side Ajax in 2013.
He later featured for clubs in Belgium and France, establishing himself as one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers on the international stage.
Now 30, Simon has recorded over 400 club appearances across Europe and is approaching 100 appearances for the Super Eagles since making his debut in 2015.