Joe Aribo has admitted that Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and Glasgow Rangers’ loss to Frankfurt in the Europa League final is the biggest regret of his season last year, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Aribo was part of the Super Eagles team that was held to a 1-1 draw by Ghana in Abuja with the Black Stars winning the tie on away goals to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. The reverse fixture in Kumasi had ended goalless.
The 25-year-old also starred for Rangers scoring the opener for the Gers as they lost 5-4 on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final after extra time scores ended 1-1.
Joe Aribo had struck against the run of play in the 57th minute to give Rangers’ the lead, charging clear after a string of defensive errors and sliding the ball past Trapp.
But the Germans struck back in the 70th minute as Rafael Borre snuck in between two defenders to turn in a Filip Kostic cross.
Speaking ahead of the Eagles 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone next week, the former Charlton Athletic midfielder remains upbeat about the future for his club and country.
“Failing to qualify for the World Cup was a huge disappointment for me,” Aribo was quoted as saying by Daily Record.
“It was hard for me coming back to Rangers after that for some time.
“But I just had to say to myself that God has a plan and it wasn’t to be for some reason, but we can’t question God. God knows best.
“And I was also disappointed that we couldn’t win the Europa League.”
However, Aribo helped Rangers finish the season on a high note after they beat Hearts 2-0 to win their first Scottish Cup since 2009 at Hampden Park.
Quickfire extra-time goals from substitutes Ryan Jack and Scott Wright secured victory for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.
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