Super Eagles stars Aribo and Onuachu shine in crucial 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town

• Aribo opened the scoring in the 21st minute, and after Ipswich equalised, Onuachu secured the win with an 87th-minute goal
• Coach Juric praised the team's character and emphasised the importance of playing with heart and passion
• This win marks Southampton's first Premier League victory since November 2024, yet they remain eight points from safety

In a dramatic match at Portman Road, Southampton secured a vital 2-1 win over Ipswich, with Super Eagles stars Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu emerging as the difference makers. 

The victory, achieved in their 24th league game of the campaign, provided a much-needed boost in Southampton’s battle to remain in the Premier League.

Coach Ivan Juric had maintained a steadfast belief in his Nigerian duo since his arrival, and that trust was clearly rewarded at Ipswich. Despite Ipswich dominating early, with Julio Enciso registering three clear goal efforts in the opening 18 minutes, Southampton found their breakthrough when Joe Aribo capitalised on a loose ball in the box. In the 21st minute, Aribo struck a powerful volley to give the visitors an unexpected lead, much to the delight of the travelling fans.

However, the lead was short-lived. Just ten minutes later, Ipswich equalised through Liam Delap, who made no mistake in levelling the score. Despite Ipswich’s early dominance and their ability to create chances, they failed to convert those opportunities, and the first half concluded with the score tied at 1-1.

The second half maintained the same intensity, with both sides creating several chances. The match seemed destined for a draw until Paul Onuachu decided to intervene in the dying stages. After 87 minutes, Onuachu capitalised on a shot by Ipswich’s Arijanet Muric and poked the ball into the net, sealing the win for Southampton. 

This late goal proved to be the decisive moment, marking Southampton’s first Premier League victory since November 2024.

Following the match, Southampton’s manager Ivan Juric expressed his elation, 

"It’s a great feeling. The guys deserved it because they worked a lot. They played some good games where we lost, but today we won. The character is always there. We will enjoy tonight, that's for sure," he stated. 

He also praised Onuachu, adding, 

"I'm sure he can score lots of goals. He has the characteristics and he is really working hard. A great man."

Despite the win, Southampton remained eight points adrift of safety, with Juric emphasising the need for further improvement and consistent performances, 

"We have to play with heart and passion," he concluded, leaving fans hopeful for more wins in the coming fixtures.

Onuachu, Aina shine as Forest hold off Saints in 3-2 thriller

Previously, TheRadar reported that Premier League side Nottingham Forest claimed a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Southampton in a Premier League encounter at the City Ground, with Nigerian stars Paul Onuachu and Ola Aina delivering impactful performances.

The match was not without its share of controversies. A Forest goal was disallowed following a contentious VAR review, and Ugochukwu narrowly avoided a red card for a reckless late challenge.