Southampton manager, Russell Martin has said Joe Aribo is in fantastic form ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Martin also stated that the club won’t stop Aribo and their other African players from participating in the competition.
The midfielder has been in fantastic form in recent weeks after a laboured start to the season.
The 27-year-old,who has started the Saints last five Sky Bet Championship games scored his first goal of the season in the 5-0 rout of Swansea City on Boxing Day.
Aribo is expected to link up with his Super Eagles teammates at their Abu Dhabi camp on January 1 as they kick-start preparations for Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
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“We can’t stop anyone. You want them to go there fit and come back fit. Joe needs to keep playing, now he has been playing and I’m sure he will get into their squad,”Martin told Daily Echo.
“He has been a mainstay in their squad for quite a while. They go with everyone’s best wishes, as you want them to do well.”
The 37-year-old revealed he has requested Aribo to bring his AFCON jersey for his son.
“Hopefully they stay injury-free, that’s the biggest thing. Joe is incredibly proud to play for Nigeria. Every time he goes away a different member of staff asks him to bring one of his shirts back,”added the Englishman.
“I’ve asked him for his AFCON shirt for my son so he needs to get into the squad so he can bring a shirt back for him.”
12 Comments
This Iti midfielder! Winger at toothless Southampton but midfielder in national team… does not merit a nation’s cup squad-place in midfield in my opinion… can we say he is better than Ifeanyi Matthew or Kelechi Nwakali? I am a Benue man incase you want to ascribed tribal sentiments to me…
U be dindinrin
I would rate Southampton and the English championship above the clubs and the leagues the 2 players you mentioned play in. Just cause we need midfielders doesn’t mean any midfielder can just walk into the national team…..Nwakali played with Osimhen at u17 and was most mvp at that tournament…..but he is way behind Chukwueze and Osimhen in terms of development….Buddy has been shuttling around division 2 clubs in Europe before the move to his current mid table club in the portuguese leave……Ifeanyi mathew? I don’t rate the swiss league at all
was the mvp***
Southampton is currently 3rd in the championship and could displace Ipswich soon putting them in a comfortable position for play offs or promotion. I’ve been a critic of Arbo but when we see players putting in their best let’s try to encourage them….Aribo has been an integral part of Southampton this season. I want to see the stats of Ifeanyi Mathew and Nwakali this season in comparison to Aribo………We all know Nwakali got an invitation again cuz Ogunefon likes him.
Joe Aribo
appearances -18
goals -1
assists – 0
Kelechi Nwakali
Appearnces -14
assist -3
goals -0
IFeanyi mathew
apearances -18
assists – 3
goals – 1
Aribo on a good day is a fantastic player with place and depth. Check out the Nigeria Nations Cup matches with Austin Eguaveon.
That Midfield is still going to be marshaled by Aribo, Iwobi, and Ndidi as the trio is now in top form. The day Lookman starts to find his pace with the Eagles things will be different. Senior man is doing well and Chukwueze is hitting form too.
The defense combination is the problem. Sanusi,Omeruo, Bassey, and Aina are still my best combination.
is this stupid 419 Presario [school teacher] mixing the positions? Ifeanyi Matthew and Kelechi Nwakali are more like defensive midfielders with long spray passes. At the same time, Aribo could play 10 or 8 back up for Iwobi or other 8 which he can be coming later or as per injury to the main 10 or 8 during the championship in case.
Nwakali’s club is currently fighting relegation and are the languishing at the very bottom lol pf the Portuguese standings.
Are languishing*
@Footballfanatic.
Thanks for dropping some fact-based knowledge on these folks who just like to talk anyhow.
Nwakali and Ifeanyi are definitely NOT in the same class with Aribo, competitively and quality wise.
But why is it difficult for some people on thus forum to scrutinize their comments before posting. How can you compare Nwakali or Ifeanyi with Arubo. In terms of club and national teM performance, achievements, and current form, the Super Eagle has only 3 midfielders to rely on :Ndidi,Iwobi and Aribo. Aribo has played in the Champions league premiership, UEFA cup finals, won Scottish league and FA.
I can’t say much about Ifeanyi because I think he has something to offer. But with what I’ve seen of Nwakali, he is only using his connections with Kanu and Eguzero to force his way into the National team.
Onyeka and Onyedika need to step up because I still believe Alhassan and Ifeanyi are better midfield options.