Entertainment
There’s never a Dull moment with Nigerian players—FIFA hails Aribo
When a Super Eagle goes marching in with the Saints, never expect a dull moment with it. Well, not when it is a talented player like Southampton’s new comer, Joe Aribo.
Joe Aribo sent the Saints fans jubilating with a stunner in their pre-season game against La Liga club, Villarreal despite their eventual loss to the side.
The Nigerian international came into the Premier League club on the back of a stellar season at Glasgow Rangers which had seen them make the final of the Europa League against eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
Joe Aribo’s performance earned him an accolade that even the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA had to applaud his efforts even in the pre-season fixture.
Aribo arrived at Southampton in the summer window for a fee set to rise to €10 million on add ons from Rangers and earned his debut for the Saints when manager, Ralph Hassenhuttl handed him a start in the friendly.
Though the Spanish club strolled in to a 2-1 win, Aribo’s spectacular goal that set up the consolation for the home side was something that uplifted the dull moment.
The nature of the goal was compared to Diego Maradona-esque move as Aribo picked up the ball from within his own half, ran forward while dazzling past 5 defenders to set a curler past former Liverpool goal keeper, Pepe Reina.
The goal caught the attention of global admirers, including world football governing body, FIFA who commented via their Twitter handle:
“This goal excited @SouthamptonFC fans yesterday. Lung-bursting run from own half. Slalom style to rival best stars.
“Take a bow, @J_Aribo19.”
Joe Aribo set up the goal that ends all goals to uplift a dull moment for the Southampton fans and establish him to the global stage.
