How Victor Moses’s spark against Cardiff paved his way to Chelsea and 2013 AFCON Glory

Former Super Eagles star, Victor Moses was renowned for his agility and goal-scoring prowess during his heyday in England, Soccernet.ng reports.

Moses kickstarted his career in the Championship with Crystal Palace, before his impressive performances captured the attention of Wigan Athletic, where he made his Premier League debut in 2010.

A recently surfaced video on social media featured his coach, Neil Warnock, reminiscing about a pivotal moment that transformed Moses’ career during his tenure at Selhurst Park.

Warnock, speaking on David Prutton’s League of 72 podcast, recalled a rainy night match against Cardiff, where he challenged Moses to elevate his game.

Despite not being known for tracking back, Moses excelled in the match, earning the man of the match title and proving his potential.

“We were playing Cardiff one night, chucking it down with rain,” he said. “I took him on the pitch and said, ‘Victor, you’ve got so much going for you and yet you’re not going to make anything. Go out there and show me what you can do.’

“We won 1-0, and he was man of the match. I went onto the pitch after and put my arm round him and said welcome to the real world.” Warnock said.

Following his stint at Crystal Palace, Moses transitioned to Wigan Athletic in the Premier League before joining Chelsea, where he achieved significant success, including two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a UEFA Europa League trophy.

Additionally, Moses showcased his talent on the international stage, notably standing out in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament for Nigeria under Steven Keshi’s leadership.

“A few years later he went onto Chelsea and to play for Nigeria – he played in the African Cup of Nations and won player of the tournament. After one game I text him and within four minutes I got a reply.” Warnock added.

Moses’ journey has now led him to Spartak Moscow in Russia, where he continues to contribute with 10 goals and 10 assists in 82 appearances for the club.

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and an Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories.

Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work.

With a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from Adeyemi College of Education and a Master’s Degree in School Library and Media Technology from the University of Ibadan, Ayomide is well-prepared to excel in the field.