It’s worth mentioning that Aribo’s contract with Rangers expires on July 1, 2022, and he has expressed no desire in extending it, which has piqued the interest of Premier League clubs.
Aston Villa is the latest Premier League club to reportedly express interest in signing Rangers’ Joe Aribo during the summer transfer window.
It’s worth mentioning that Aribo’s contract with Rangers expires on July 1, 2023, and he has expressed no desire in extending it, which has piqued the interest of Premier League clubs.
According to the Sun, Aston Villa have joined the hunt for Aribo, who previously worked with current Lions manager Steven Gerrard at Rangers.
Brentford and Crystal Palace, among others, have taken notice of the versatile midfielder’s performances for the Light Blues this season.
Instead of letting the 25-year-old walk away for free at the end of next season, the Gers may cash in on him this summer.
If Aribo’s move to Aston Villa goes through, he may be the ideal midfield partner for Philippe Coutinho, who just signed a permanent deal.
The Nigerian has shown his versatility by putting in strong performances as a box-to-box midfielder, right winger, and false nine.
Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo nominated for POTY Award
Rangers, the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, have unveiled the nominees for the club’s Player of the Year award.
Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey have both been nominated for the award, and will compete against seven other first-team players.
Connor Goldson, Glen Kamara, Ryan Kent, John Lundstram, Kemar Roofe, Alfredo Morelos, and James Tavernier are the players who make up the rest of the nominees list.
Super Eagles central defender Leon Balogun, who has battled injuries this season, will miss out, and so will the Nigerian youth international Nnamdi Ofoborh, for obvious reasons.
Bassey has established himself as a staple for the Rangers this season, making a total of 41 games in all competitions, including 38 starts, after starting the season as a left-back.
Aribo was undoubtedly Rangers’ best performer in the first half of the season, appearing in 48 games and scoring 16 goals (8 goals, 8 assists).
The 24-year old Super Eagles star was named as Rangers’ Young Player of the Year for the 2019/2020 season.
Aribo inspires Rangers to victory over Sporting Braga
After brushing aside Portuguese opposition on Thursday, the Gers are two games away from the final of the continent’s second-tier club competition.
Rangers battled to a thrilling 3-2 aggregate triumph over Sporting Braga to clinch a spot in the Europa League semifinals. Joe Aribo delivered two key assists, while Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun also contributed.
Last week, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side were defeated 1-0 in Portugal, but they came back to win 3-1 at home after extra time to reach their first European semifinal in 14 years.
Rangers got off to a great start at Ibrox, thanks to Joe Aribo. The Super Eagles midfielder displayed excellent vision to send a pinpoint pass to James Tavernier, who displayed superb calm inside the box to bury the ball in the bottom right corner.
Kemar Roofe headed in a second goal for the home side just as the Light Blues fans were finishing their celebrations, but it was ruled out for a handball after a VAR review.
Tavernier added a second for the hosts from the penalty spot soon before halftime, with Tormena’s dismissal reducing the visitors to 10 men.
Soon after the restart, Aribo should have added a third goal, but his rocket of a shot sailed just wide of the left post after he had raced through the middle to the edge of the box.
Rangers had many chances to end the tie, including a goal by Roofe that was deemed offside, but they were unable to capitalize. And they would come to regret all of their missed opportunities, as a David Carmo header in the 88th minute halved Braga’s deficit on the night and brought them level on aggregate.
Calvin Bassey was a rock for the Gers up until that time. Nonetheless, Giovanni van Bronckhorst did not waste any time in replacing Borna Borisic with Leon Balogun to shore up the defense.
However, no further goals were scored before the referee indicated the end of normal time.
Rangers went ahead 3-1 in extra time thanks to Aribo’s skill, as the former Charlton Athletic man laid the ball on a dish for Kemar Roof to score with a simple close-range finish midway through the first half.
And the night went even better for the Gers when Braga was reduced to nine men as Iuri Medeiros was given a second yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct.
However, Braga were unable to produce any late drama as Rangers advanced to the Europa League semifinals.
Nigerian footballers in the diaspora did not disappoint on Thursday evening.
Dessers, Olayinka and Sor were all on target in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Alex Iwobi scored his second English Premier League goal of the season in Everton’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle.
Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
Super Eagles left back, Zaidu Sanusi was in action for FC Porto in their 1-1 UEFA Europa League draw against French Ligue 1 side, Lyon.
The Portuguese league leaders unfortunately lost the tie 2-1 on aggregate, and bow out of this year’s competition.
Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho & Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
Super Eagles newboy, Ademola Lookman came off the bench to provide the assist for Wesley Fofana’s goal, from a corner.
Kelechi Iheanacho played all 90 mins and Wilfred Ndidi hobbled off with a knee ligament injury in the 60th minute of Leicester City’s 2-1 UEFA Europa Conference League defeat against Rennes.
The English Premier League side won the tie 2-3 on aggregate and advance to the quarterfinals of the competition’s inaguaral season.
21-year old striker, Victor Boniface played the entirety of extra time as FK Bodo/Glimt earned a hard-fought 2-2 UEFA Europa Conference League draw at AZ Alkmaar.
The Norwegian champions won the tie 4-3 on aggregate and advance to the quarterfinals of this season’s competition.
Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey & Joe Aribo (Rangers FC, Scotland)
The Super Eagles trio of Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey were all in action for Rangers during their 2-1 defeat against Red Star Belgrade.
Leon Balogun played all 90 mins, making one tackle and seven clearances. Calvin Bassey also played the entire duration of the game at left back, with the 22-year old making one tackle and completing an interception. Joe Aribo played 68 mins.
The Scottish champions won the tie 2-4 on aggregate however, and secured their place in the quarterfinals of this season’s UEFA Europa League.
Cyriel Dessers scored his fourth goal in four consecutive games to help the Dutch Eredivisie side to a 3-1 UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 second leg victory over FK Partizan Belgrade.
They won the tie 8-3 on aggregate, advancing comfortably to the quarterfinals.
Peter Olayinka & Yira Sor (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Super Eagles forward, Peter Olayinka captained the Czech champions in their UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 second leg defeat vs LASK. The 26-year old opened the scoring on the night with an easy finish from inside the penalty area.
21-year old striker, Yira Sor was also in action. He scored one goal and assisted another as 9-man Slavia Prague advanced with a 5-7 aggregate victory.
Big 17, Alex Iwobi scored a 99th minute winner to help Everton clinch a hard-fought 1-0 English Premier League victory over the Magpies.
The 25-year old played a beautiful one-two with Dominic Calver-Lewin in the Toffees’ attack, before finishing calmly past Martin Dubravka in the Newcastle goal.
It is only Iwobi’s second league goal of the season, and it comes at a crucial time for Everton. This win helps them go three points clear of Watford in the relegation zone with two games in hand.
Nigerian trio all shine in Rangers’ 3-0 Europa League win
Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey all impressed in Rangers’ 3-0 win in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie.
Within 15 minutes of the encounter, James Tavernier and Alfredo Morelos had given the hosts a two goal lead over Red Star Belgrade at the Ibrox Stadium.
Aleksandar Katai missed a spotkick for the Serbian champions in the 24th minute as they went on break trailing by a two goal deficit.
As the second half resumed, the visitors began to for a way back into the game but it proved abortive.
Super Eagles veteran,Leon Balogun rounded off the scoring with the third goal of the night when he rose to head home a well-delivered James Tavernier corner in the 51st minute.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 10: Leon Balogun celebrates his goal with teammates Ryan Jack & Joe Aribo (17) as he makes it 3-0 Rangers during a UEFA Europa League match between Rangers and Red Star Belgrade at Ibrox Stadium, on March 10, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
This is Leon’s second goal of the Europa League with his first coming against Bröndby IF in October 2021.
The 33-year-old and Bassey played the entire duration of the match while Aribo was replaced by Fashion Sakala in the 75th minute.
We tracked over 170 matches which could potentially feature Nigerian players across 50 different leagues. Here are the weekend’s top performers.
Goalkeeper – Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam) – Star of the Week
Maduka Okoye was in terrific form as he led his side, Sparta Rotterdam to a 1-0 win over Vitesse in the Dutch Eredivisie last weekend.
Maduka made seven saves with one coming from the penalty spot.
Maduka Okoye – Star of the Week
Left Centre Back – Chidioze Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC)
Making his first start since the 22nd of December, 2021 for Alanyaspor was Chidioze Awaziem.
He returned to the starting XI against Kayserispor as his team came out 2-1 winners. He made one successful tackle and had three clearances.
Centre Back – Valentine Ozornwafor (Royal Charleroi Sporting Club)
In the heart of defense, Valentine was imperious as his side, Royal Sporting Charleroi played out a goalless draw against Standard Liege in the Belgian Pro League.
The former flying eagles center half made two tackles and three interceptions in the entire duration of the game.
Right Centre Back – Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim)
Kevin Akpoguma was outstanding in his side’s 0-1 away win at FC Cologne in the German Bundesliga.
The Super Eagles defender played 78 minutes, made five tackles and three interceptions.
Right Midfield – Moses Simon (FC Nantes)
The Nigerian international was unlucky not to find the back of the net in FC Nantes’ 2-0 win over Montpellier.
Moses completed three out five dribbles and hit the woodwork once.
Centre Midfield – Joe Aribo (Rangers FC)
The midfielder looked capable of making something happen when he did have the ball in the game against Aberdeen.
Fortunately, he assisted the game’s only goal.
Centre Midfield – Iyayi Believe Antiemwen (Gorica FC)
The former Nigerian youth International played 82 minutes in Gorica’s four nill triumph over Hrv Dragovoljac.
He had a decent outing as he scored a goal, creates three goalscoring chances and was rated 7.6.
Left Midfield – Anthony Nwakaeme (FC Trabzonspor)
The 32-year old can’t stop scoring at the moment. He once again found the back of the net with an outstanding goal in Trabzonspor’s a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce.
We tracked 95 matches which could potentially feature Nigerian players across 23 different leagues on an exciting Saturday of action. Here are some of the top stories.
We tracked 95 matches which could potentially feature Nigerian players across 23 different leagues on an exciting Saturday of action. Here are some of the top stories.
The lanky striker released the final ball for Juan Brunetta to fire home the opener in the 20th minute but Elias Cobbaut’s 65th-minute own goal ensured both teams share the spoils.
Fleury’s Ewelina Kamczyk cancelled out Gaetane Thiney’s first-half opener for the home side. After the entire regulation time, both sides were tied at 1-1.
Nnadozie saved Julie Piga’s spot-kick but it wasn’t enough to stop her side’s 4-3 loss on penalties.
Celina OULD HOCINE of Paris Fc, Cynthia NNADOZIE of Paris Fc and Ewelina KAMCZYK of Fc Fleury during the Women’s French Cup match between Paris FC and Fleury 91 on March 5, 2022 in Bondoufle, France. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, and Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers – Scottish Professional Football League)
The Nigerian trio played massive roles in Rangers’ narrow 1-0 win over Aberdeen at the Ibrox Stadium.
Joe Aribo was impressive in the centre attacking midfield position, creating three chances for his side in the 90 minutes.
Calvin Bassey had a quiet night at centre back, only making two tackles and winning four out of nine duels.
Leon Balogun played 31 minutes, making 2 interceptions and one clearance.
Taiwo Awoniyi (FC Union Berlin)
Taiwo Awoniyi was on the wrong side of the scoresheet, scoring an own goal in FC Union Berlin’s 1-0 German Bundesliga defeat at Wolfsburg.
05 March 2022, Lower Saxony, Wolfsburg: Soccer: Bundesliga, VfL Wolfsburg – 1. FC Union Berlin, Matchday 25, Volkswagen Arena. Wolfsburg’s John Anthony Brooks (center) plays against Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi (left). Photo: Swen Pförtner/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequence pictures and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Who was your best Nigerian performer on Saturday March 5 ? Leave a comment or reaction below.
As the month of February draws to an end, here’s the EaglesTracker Nigerian Team of the Week for this past weekend of action.
Goalkeeper – Jerry Isaac (MFM FC)
Enyimba could not get a win for a dominant and spirited performance as it ended 1-1 against MFM FC at the Enyimba Stadium on Saturday evening. Jerry Isaac was a rock between the post for MFM as he made several saves in the game including a powerful header from substitute Godwin Emmanuel inside the box in the 81st minute.
Sanusi had a beautiful performance as he helped FC Porto secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Moreirense.
The win helped the Dragons maintained their lead as table toppers with 63 points, that’s 6 points better than second place Sporting Lisbon.
Zaidu Sanusi of FC Porto in action during the Liga Portugal Bwin match between Moreirense FC and FC Porto at Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on February 20, 2022 in Moreira de Conegos, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
At the left-hand side of the defence, Calvin was brilliant as his Scottish side Rangers FC came from a goal down to share the spoils away at Dundee United.
In the 1-1 to draw, Calvin provided the assist to Joe Aribo ‘s equaliser.
Right Centre Back – Ayo Obileye (Livingston FC)
Ayo Obileye equally had a good shift in the Scottish Professional Football League as his side Livingston FC picked up one point at home to St Mirren.
Obileye before being subbed off in the 75th ensured the opposition attack had nothing to feed on.
The 25-year-old Nigeria international rescued a point for the Gers against the Terrors at Tannadice Park after he scored in the 76th minute to cancel out Ross Graham’s 29th-minute opener.
Aribo has now scored seven top-flight goals for the Gers from 25 appearances, and his latest display has left many fans with mixed feelings.
Innocent Bonke played 90 minutes of his side’s 0-1 loss to Montpellier. Despite him ending up on the losing side, the Nigerian was superb as he got a 7.0 rating.
FEBRUARY 20: Ademola Lookman of Leicester City scores their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City at Molineux on February 20, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman followed up his good outing in the Europa League where he bagged an assist with another impressive display for Leicester City on Sunday in the Premier League.
He scored his club’s sole goal in the 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Emmanuel Dennis’s late header saw struggling Watford win 1-0 at Aston Villa as Roy Hodgson recorded his first win in charge of the Hornets.
The visitors’ hopes of staying in the Premier League had largely been written off by most after a dreadful recent run had seen them lose 10 of their last 12 games in all competitions heading to Villa Park – a sequence of results that had led to Hodgson’s arrival at the club
Nigeria international Umar Sadiq continued with his goal-scoring form in Spain after he grabbed two goals in Almeria’s 2-1 Segunda Division victory against Mirandes on Saturday.
FEBRUARY 20: Sadiq Umar celebrates his first goal against CD Mirandes. Photo Credit: La Liga Smartbank
The 25-year-old attacker grabbed the opener in the 69th minute before adding the second in the 72nd minute. Though Sergio Camello reduced the deficit for the away side in the added minutes, it was Almeria who held on to pick up their third straight victory in the league.