Southampton boss begs Aribo for Super Eagles AFCON jersey

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Blackburn Rovers' James Hill (right) battles with Southampton's Joe Aribo (left) during the Sky Bet Championship match between Southampton FC and Blackburn Rovers at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Southampton, England. (Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Southampton boss, Russell Martin has begged Joe Aribo for his Super Eagles 2023 AFCON shirt for his son if he eventually makes Jose Peseiro 23-man party to the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

Aribo is a regular fixture for Nigeria and has been named in Peseiro’s provisional squad for the tournament, which gets underway on January 13.

The 23-time international has started the last five games and scored his first goal of the campaign in Southampton’s 5-0 thrashing of Swansea City on Boxing Day.

If selected, Aribo could miss up to five games. Asked by the Daily Echo about Aribo potentially heading to the tournament, Martin said: “Joe is incredibly proud to play for Nigeria.

“We can’t stop anyone (from playing at AFCON). You want them to go there fit and come back fit.

“Hopefully they stay injury-free, that’s the biggest thing. Joe has got incredible pride (for Nigeria).

“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,” Martin joked.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group A alongside Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and tournament hosts Ivory Coast.

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