Nigerian star hailed after scoring first goal in 2023
Nigerian star, Joe Aribo has been hailed by his club manager after scoring his first goal of 2023 in their English Championship win on boxing day.
Southampton manager Russel Martin expressed admiration for Joe Aribo’s outstanding performance against Swansea City at St Mary’s Stadium on Boxing Day.
The Saints secured a resounding 5-0 victory, extending their unbeaten streak to 16 games.
Aribo played a pivotal role in the game, scoring the opening goal for Southampton.
This marked his first goal of the season and the first in 2023. Despite starting the season as a squad player, the 27-year-old midfielder has emerged as a key figure, starting in Southampton’s last five Sky Bet Championship games.
Martin praised Aribo’s remarkable fighting spirit, highlighting his dedication on and off the pitch.
The manager commended Aribo for maintaining a positive attitude, even when not in the starting lineup.
“When he [Joe Aribo] wasn’t playing, he didn’t show frustration with the players, he trained like a beast,” Martin stated after the game. “He would come speak to me and get his frustration out.”
Southampton, under Martin’s guidance, will look to build on their impressive form as they prepare to face Plymouth Argyle in their upcoming Championship game on Friday. Aribo’s contributions are expected to play a crucial role in the team’s continued success, as they push for promotion.
The Saints will however miss the services a of the Nigerian star from next week as he joins the Super Eagles of Nigeria in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament which gets underway on January 13, 2024.
