Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and Glasgow Rangers’ loss to Frankfurt in the Europa League final, according to Joe Aribo, have hurt his career.
He said the two incidents were his biggest regret from last season.
Kemifilani recalls that Aribo was a member of the Super Eagles team that drew 1-1 with Ghana in Abuja in February?
Nigeria’s hopes of playing in the World Cup were effectively dashed as the Black Stars won the tie on away goals to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. The rematch in Kumasi had ended in a 0-0 draw.
Rangers lost 5-4 on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final after extra time ended 1-1. The 25-year-old also starred for Rangers, scoring the opening goal.
Joe Aribo had given Rangers the lead against the run of play in the 57th minute, charging clear after a string of defensive mistakes and sliding the ball past Trapp.
Rafael Borre snuck in between two defenders to turn in a Filip Kostic cross in the 70th minute to give Germany the lead.
The former Charlton Athletic midfielder is upbeat about the future of his club and country ahead of the Eagles’ 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone next week.
The Daily Record quoted Aribo as saying, “Failing to qualify for the World Cup was a huge disappointment for me.”
“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.”
Rangers, on the other hand, finished the season on a high note after beating Hearts 2-0 at Hampden Park to win their first Scottish Cup since 2009.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side won in extra time thanks to goals from substitutes Ryan Jack and Scott Wright.