Nigeria have handed Bordeaux striker Josh Maja a late call-up ahead of their international friendly against Ukraine. The highly-rated 20-year-old has not lined up with the Super Eagles in two years when he was invited to train with the squad ahead of a friendly against Burkina Faso, which was later cancelled.
Maja was plying his trade with Sunderland in the English Championship at the time and scored one goal in 17 appearances in the 2017-18 season.
The Black Cats suffered relegation to the third tier that campaign and Maja was a key man for the team, scoring 15 League One goals in 24 games.
That prompted Bordeaux to sign him in January and he managed to score one goal in seven appearances before a knee injury struck.
Maja has started this new Ligue 1 season well, scoring against Montpellier on match day two.
That prompted Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr to hint that he could call the starlet up for the squad ahead of the team’s friendly at the Dnipro Arena next Tuesday.
Bordeaux have now confirmed via their website that Maja has been selected.
The statement read: “Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has called up Josh Maja in the squad to face Ukraine on 10 September in a friendly. “The young striker will join his team-mate attack in Bordeaux, Samuel Kalu. This is his first call in the national team.”
