Nigerian-born youngster, Samuel Ikechukwu Edozie played an impact role for Southampton against more-fancied Arsenal in the English FA Cup on Saturday evening, and helped his side send The Gunners’ packing.
Sports247 reports that Edozie entered the home game at Saint Mary’s in the 871st minute of the pulsating encounter, but it was just enough time for him to stamp his authority on the game and helped maintain stability in the squad.
While Noni Madueke entered the fray for Arsenal ten minutes before Edozie joined him on the pitch but at the opposing end, it was the less-popular of both Nigerian-born players that had the final laugh in their quarter-finals clash.
A sumptuous semi-final date at Wembley Stadium now awaits Edozie, who was born in Lewisham, South London and attended Ashgrove School in Bromley as well as Beths Grammar School in Bexley.
He began his football career in the youth system at nearby Millwall before moving to Manchester City in July 2019 for a reported seven-figure fee, following which he got his senior debut on August 7th, 2021 in the 2021 FA Community Shield.
Although being part of The Cityzens’ starting line-up for that game was a highpoint for Edozie at Etihad Stadium, he was soon on his way to Southampton, where he signed a five-year-contract on September 1st, 2022.
Edozie joined RSC Anderlecht on September 4th, 2024 in a season-long loan deal, got his debut for the club on September 14th, 2024 in a 2-2 draw with KV Westerlo and scored his first goal for the club against Dender on September 28th, 2024.
The fast-paced winger, whose younger brother, Tom Edozie, plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers, made his debut for the England’s under-19 squad during a 2-0 victory over Italy on September 2nd, 2021.
A year later, Edozie made his England under-20 debut and scored during a 3-0 victory over Chile on September 21st, 2022 and was thereafter (May 10th, 2023) included in The Junior Lions’ squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Edozie spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Anderlecht, where he played 32 games, provided six assists and scored four goals, including one in the Europa League, but he opted for a return to Southampton at the start of this year.
The 23-year-old winger was part of The Saints’ squad that made history on Saturday, as a late goal by Shea Charles helped the hosts send Arsenal packing in the FA Cup and end treble hopes for the English Premier League leaders.
It is another step forward for Edozie and the Championship promotion hopefuls, who were on a 14-match unbeaten run, have now reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2021.
Incidentally, the club that Paul Ebere Onuachu, Joe Aribo and Josh Maja all played for up till last season, are wearing yellow kit in the FA Cup to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the last time they lifted the trophy in 1976.
Edozie and his pals are now hoping to create their own historic moment this year, but they will for the time being turn their focus on Tuesday’s potentially decisive Championship fixture away to Arthur Okonkwo’s Wrexham.
