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Southampton's midfielder, Joe Ayodele Aribo, emerged as the hero of the night, securing a dramatic 96th-minute goal to clinch all three points for the Saints.
Russell Martin, the head coach of Southampton, showered praise on Aribo following his match-winning performance.
Russell Martin's Praise
Russell Martin expressed his admiration for Aribo's contribution, particularly emphasizing his brilliance during the crucial moments of the game.
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22:47 - 28.02.2024
Emirates FA Cup: 18-year-olds embarrass Aribo's Saints as Liverpool book United date
Liverpool and Manchester United will face off against each other in the Emirates FA after a routine win against Joe Aribo and Southampton.
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19:14 - 09.02.2024
Aribo and Osayi-Samuel shine as Nigeria's top passers at AFCON 2023
Joe Aribo and Bright Osayi-Samuel have played a bit-part role for the Nigeria Super Eagles at the AFCON 2023.
"I love all the players so I don’t mind who gets the winner. Aribo was brilliant today and unlucky not to start after the Liverpool game on Wednesday," stated the Southampton manager, as reported by Soccernet.
He reflected on Aribo's impact and acknowledged his unfortunate absence from the starting lineup in previous matches.
In a high-stakes encounter against Birmingham, with just twenty minutes remaining on the clock and facing ten-men opposition, Martin made the decisive move to bring Aribo onto the field in pursuit of an equalizer.
The decision proved fruitful as a corner kick in the dying seconds of the game resulted in Taylor Harwood-Bells' shot finding Aribo, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, securing victory for Southampton and dealing a blow to Mark Venus' side.
Aribo's late heroics have propelled Southampton within three points of Daniel Farke's Leeds United, signalling their determination to ascend to the summit of the English top flight.
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Aribo's Impact on the Field
Aribo, 27, who has faced limited game time both at club and international levels this season, showcased his prowess when it mattered most.
Despite starting just eight games for Southampton and featuring sparingly for Nigeria during the AFCON 2023 tournament, Aribo's recent performances have highlighted his undeniable talent.
With two goals in his last five appearances for Southampton, the former Rangers man has proven his goalscoring ability and value to the team.
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