Rangers worst kept secret has been exposed to an even bigger audience, that Joe Aribo is a quality footballer of serious quality.
The scary thing is that he has the potential and time to get even better – which augurs very well for Rangers in the SPFL Premiership title run-in.
Earlier today, Aribo was front and centre to most of what was good in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations opener for the Super Eagles.
FULL TIME!
The Eagles claim a famous win over the Pharaohs in opening group game.
Now we can dream 😍#NGAEGY | #AFCON2021 | #TeamNigeria pic.twitter.com/PxEAnVfNrR
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) January 11, 2022
For Kelechi Iheanacho’s excellent opener, the Rangers man showed his anticipation and enthusiasm to position himself well to head the ball into the path of the Leicester man, who finished with aplomb.
Just before that, the London-born Nigerian had strode forward in typical gallus fashion to play an inch-perfect reverse pass behind ‘The Pharaoh’s’ defence into the path of the impressive Moses Simon. The Nantes winger took a touch to steady himself before shooting but could only find the side netting when a first-time strike was there for the taking.
At times, the Super Eagles looked to assume a 4-4-2, later settling into a 4-2-3-1.
Joe Aribo was one of the ‘pivots’ in midfield but this was not a holding job – far from it. He was disciplined throughout and deep out of possesion but when they were on the offensive, the Rangers man was essentially a number 8, getting into the box to supplement the attack effectively as shown with the assist for Iheanacho.
His display was met with delight from the Nigeria fans and the obvious exploded on social media with the name of Joe Aribo going viral:
Joe Aribo is a 30 million euro player
— CFCBrian (@ChelseaBrian_) January 11, 2022
Mhen I would love to see Joe Aribo in EPL. That guy nah proper baller
— Omobolaji Ajose (@ajoseadeniyi1) January 11, 2022
Joe Aribo is a different gravy .. had no idea if he was playing as a No 10 or as a No8 ..MoTM .. #TeamNigeria #NGAEGY pic.twitter.com/TrtEfU07U4
— General Bald Head Vlad McGrath (@Lord_Impaler_7) January 11, 2022
If Iwobi is worth 35 million Aribo has to be worth at least 60 million.
— Tim Jenkinson (@timjenkinson28) January 11, 2022
Moses Simon was probably the game's best player, but Joe Aribo was excellent too. Presumably kids and grown-ups in Nigeria love him so.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) January 11, 2022
Joe Aribo with an assist for Nigeria against Mo Salahs Egypt in a 1-0 win for Nigeria, best player on the park in my opinion. Value soaring 😉🇳🇬🇬🇧💙
— RjMoore (@RjMoore78249834) January 11, 2022