AFCON-bound Joe Aribo has said he loves the music belted out when he scored his first goal of the season for Southampton against Swansea.
Aribo’s deflected strike was his maiden goal of the season – and his first Southampton goal in 451 days.
Following his goal, Gold by Spandau Ballet was played over the stadium speakers – in reference to the chant which phonetically spells his name to the song’s tune.
The Super Eagles midfielder admitted it was a long overdue goal and felt it was fitting for ‘The Saints’ to score five goals given their 16-game unbeaten run.
Speaking to The Daily Echo about his opener, Aribo said: “It’s an amazing feeling for me and a long time coming.
“It’s the first time I’ve heard it. It’s a very good song to be fair. For us they (the fans) are amazing. They are our twelfth man.
“When they are behind us it is an amazing feeling. They give us the confidence.”
Southampton have hit 12 goals without conceding in their last four home games.
They have also extended their home unbeaten run to six games.
Aribo credited the team’s willingness to “fight for each other” as a key reason they’ve become so difficult to face at St Mary’s.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It is so fitting to score so many goals when you are putting in good performances,” Aribo continued.
“It’s so important for us to be solid as a unit. When everyone is fighting for each other it’s going to be hard to break us down.
“That’s where the clean sheets have come from. We have also been clinical and relentless in front of goal.
“We have got quality in the dressing room. Sometimes you might snatch at a shot when you are missing a lot of chances.
“When you are confident and free flowing you can be calm and collected. That confidence comes from performances.
“We have been playing well so of course we are going to feel confident and try things. The manager tells us to express ourselves in the final third.”
