Joe Aribo says his decision to represent Nigeria on the international scene was inspired by the legendary duo, Austine Okocha and Osaze Odemwingie, reports Completesports.com.
Aribo made his debut for the Super Eagles in a friendly match against Ukraine in September, scoring one of the goals for the three-time African champions in the 2-2 draw.
The Glasgow Rangers midfielder followed up with another classy strike in the 1-1 draw against five-time world champions Brazil in October.
Aribo stated that in a video posted on the NFF Youtube page that he enjoyed watching the Super Eagles while growing up in Europe.
“Jay Jay Okocha and even Osaze Odemwingie inspired me and I really enjoyed watching them while growing up,”he remarked.
He also admitted it is a big challenge wearing the number 10 jersey vacated by former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi.
“It’s a big challenge to take the number 10 jersey and it’s a challenge I’m willing to take and I intend to do what they (Mikel and Okocha) as number 10 have done in the past,”
“I just want to be able to show what I can do in a game.”
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_Who Would You Like To Be Like?_
Joe Aribo, whose goals and overall sterling performances against Ukraine and Brazil in high profile friendlies this year, has surely endeared himself to Super Eagles fans.
Speaking in the article above on his inspirations for choosing to play for Nigeria, the Rangers man said:”Jay Jay Okocha and even Osaze Odemwingie inspired me and I really enjoyed watching them while growing up.”
He enjoyed watching them while he was growing up, we Super Eagles fans have started enjoying watching him play now that he is grown up.
And from the evidence of what we have seen thus far, Aribo has the makings of being an inspiration to young players who dream of playing for the Super Eagles ‘when they grow up’.
There is no doubt about it: Aribo has been a quality addition to this new look Super Eagles post-2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
He has added fluidity, movement, steel credible goal threat and options to our midfield.
Being a versatile player, it is even possible that we are yet to see the best of Aribo in Super Eagles colours; now, if scoring against Ukraine and Brazil are not going to be Aribo’s best outings for the Super Eagles, then what is yet to come is a tantalising prospect indeed!
Whilst Aribo referenced Okocha, Odewingie and Mikel as players he watched growing up, it was another ex-Nigeria mega star striker Victor Ikpeba who had this to say after Aribo’s heroics against Brazil:”He’s such a wonderful player and I am delighted to see him play quality football for Nigeria.
Joe Aribo is an exceptional player and he has shown the Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr that he is ready to claim a regular shirt.” Concluded the Crowned Prince of Monaco who has since retired from royal goal scoring duties.
For a player aspiring to be like Okocha and co, Aribo is surely on the right path: you can hardly do better than 2 goals against gigantic oppositions in your first 2 international matches.
The 23 year old is here to stay!
I love that new okocha. Keep chasing okocha. You will be great. Just move away from that club OK