Southampton FC, home to Nigerian internationals Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo, have become the first team to be relegated from the Premier League this season, suffering confirmation of their drop with an unprecedented seven games remaining.
The Saints’ fate was sealed following a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, marking a swift return to the Championship after a season-long struggle.
They have languished at the bottom of the table for the majority of the campaign, amassing a mere 10 points from 31 matches, with a dismal record of 25 losses, just two wins, and four draws.
This relegation marks a historic low for the Premier League era, as Southampton become the first club to have their demotion confirmed with so many matches still to play.
The future of Nigerian midfielder Joe Aribo, who was instrumental in the club’s promotion last season and has one year left on his contract, is expected to remain with the Saints as they navigate the Championship.
However, the future of fellow Nigerian international, striker Paul Onuachu, is less certain, with speculation mounting about whether he will stay at St Mary’s for the second-tier campaign.
Meanwhile, another Super Eagles star, Wilfred Ndidi, is also facing the looming threat of relegation with Leicester City. Just a season after their own return to the Premier League, the Foxes find themselves in 19th place with a precarious 17 points from 37 games, leaving their top-flight status hanging by a thread.
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