Steve Dede

<h1>Nigerian players continued actions for their respective clubs all over the world, and this past weekend, there was a slew of goalscorers.&nbsp;</h1>

We look at the major talking points from the Nigerian players perspective.&nbsp;

Josh Maja scored two striker's goal for Fulham against Everton (Twitter/Fulham)

Josh Maja has been yearning to play in the Premier League, and he didn’t disappoint when he got his chance on Sunday, February 14, 2021.&nbsp;

Maja scored two goals in Fulham’s surprise 2-0 win away at Everton. It was only Fulham’s third win of the season after 23 games, and the Nigerian striker showed he was the player the Scott Parker side needed.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hard graft at Motspur. 💪 Reap the rewards! 🏅<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/e8ggf1gRYa">pic.twitter.com/e8ggf1gRYa</a>&mdash; Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FulhamFC/status/1361372693610782723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Maja is a talented player, but he didn’t kick on since he left Sunderland to join French side, Bordeaux. He showed flashes of his brilliance sparingly, but never on a consistent level.&nbsp;

Can he do it this season with Fulham? Only time can tell.&nbsp;

<h2>2. Odion Ighalo’s goal in Saudi Arabia&nbsp;</h2>

In just his second game for his new club Al-Shabab, Odion Ighalo got on the scoresheet to open his goal account in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Ighalo started from the bench again and entered the game in the 63rd minute. In added time he got his goal. It was a typical Ighalo finish. Fine movement in the box, get the ball and finish past the goalkeeper to round up his side's scoring in a 4-0 win.

<h2>3. Moses Simon scores a rare goal in a rare win for his side&nbsp;</h2>

After Moses Simon’s fantastic showing at Nantes last season, the club gave him a permanent contract, but sadly the Nigerian has not been able to play at the same level.&nbsp;

Almost everything has gone wrong for Nantes. They are in relegation places and last won a game in early November.&nbsp;

Moses had managed just two league goals before they visited Angers on Sunday. The Nigerian opened the scoring in the game, getting the ball on the right after a quick counter-attack and finishing past the goalkeeper.&nbsp;

It was his first goal since September and only his third of the season. Nantes will need the Nigerian to be anywhere close to the level he was last season for any chance of surviving relegation.&nbsp;

Another Nigeria international impressed in Fulham’s win against Everton. Ola Aina was in top form, playing as a left-back.&nbsp;

He had a solid game on both the defensive and attacking end o the game. He defended well, helped keep things tight at the back and frustrated the likes of James Rodriguez.&nbsp;

In attack, he was fluid and got the assist for his compatriot Maja’s first goal.&nbsp;

<h2>5. Napoli win, but Victor Osimhen underwhelms&nbsp;</h2>

Victor Osimhen’s troubles in Italy continued Saturday, February 13 with an underwhelming performance.&nbsp;

Osimhen dropped a stinker, but there isn’t much talk about that thanks to Napoli’s win against Juventus; instead, his photo-op was with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon after the game has drawn criticism.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Osimhen got pics with some of his biggest fans after their Juventus win last night 😊👍🏽 <a href="https://t.co/q04NzRP0RG">pic.twitter.com/q04NzRP0RG</a>&mdash; Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SSE_NGA/status/1360935059285544962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Osimhen’s underwhelming season so far has not been entirely his doing. Injury and COVID-19 have disrupted his season, and there is also how the Napoli team is set up.&nbsp;

Gennaro Gattuso’s side lacks a genuine creator in the middle, and the widemen would prefer to shoot at goal than out in a cross.&nbsp;

This is not drawing up excuses for Osimhen, top players always find a way, and if he is to justify the enormous sum Napoli splashed on him last summer, he has to find a way.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Wilfred Ndidi’s game by numbers vs. Liverpool: 42 passes attempted 33 passes completed 19 ball recoveries 9 tackles attempted 5 tackles won 3 interceptions 3 blocks 2 key passes 1 assist Outstanding once again. 🇳🇬 <a href="https://t.co/1EiaJeaQNk">pic.twitter.com/1EiaJeaQNk</a>&mdash; Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) <a href="https://twitter.com/StatmanDave/status/1360596927449100288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Wilfred Ndidi had a fantastic game for Leicester City in their 3-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday,.

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/wilfred-ndidi-does-everything-right-as-leicester-city-beat-liverpool-3-1/11zy75m">Ndidi had a good day in midfield</a>, dominating the middle and robbing anyone that comes of the ball.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Wilfred Ndidi vs Liverpool <a href="https://t.co/LzpIL7PcEs">pic.twitter.com/LzpIL7PcEs</a>&mdash; Hamad 🇵🇸 (@HMDComps) <a href="https://twitter.com/HMDComps/status/1360611823960154112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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It was a complete performance from the Nigerian who also had an assist.

Josh Maja and Odion Ighalo (Twitter/Fulham/Odion Ighalo)

A round up of how Nigerian players fared around the world this past weekend.

Nigerian Players Abroad: Goals for Josh Maja and Odion Ighalo, Moses Simon on the scoresheet

<h1>Born and raised in London, Josh Maja had spoken of how much playing in the Premier League would mean to him. When he left Sunderland acrimoniously in January 2019, Maja had always talked about his Premier League dreams on every chance he got.&nbsp;</h1>

His dreams became a reality on Sunday, February 14, 2021, when he made his debut for Fulham away at Everton.&nbsp;

And what a debut he had. With two goals on his first Premier League game, the Nigerian propelled Fulham to only their third win of the season, and this came after 23 games.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">5 - Josh Maja is the fifth Nigerian player to score on his first <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@premierleague</a> start, after Efan Ekoku in May 1993, John Utaka in August 2007, Peter Odemwingie in August 2010 and Alex Iwobi in March 2016. Eagles. <a href="https://t.co/bmqS2sB4bE">pic.twitter.com/bmqS2sB4bE</a>&mdash; OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1361047931713966082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Maja scored two striker's goals; the first a slide-in finish from a simple ball in the box from his compatriot Ola Aina. For the second, he tapped into an empty net from a loose ball in the box.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">That killer instinct! 🦖<a href="https://twitter.com/joshmaja?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joshmaja</a>&#39;s got that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAJIC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MAJIC</a> knack and he&#39;s off the mark. 🪄 <a href="https://t.co/dt5AN0htgn">pic.twitter.com/dt5AN0htgn</a>&mdash; Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FulhamFC/status/1361236053022023680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"This is a night I have been dreaming about for a long time, especially last night and I had a feeling it was coming and pleased it became a reality," Maja told BT Sport after the game.&nbsp;

Fulham manager Scott Parker was also very impressed with the Nigerian.&nbsp;

"Fantastic tonight in terms of scoring two goals. The first move was brilliant and he is there to tap in and the second is a striker's instinct to knock one in from the rebound off the post," Parker said in a press conference.

"It has been well-documented that we have missed some big chances; the fine margins are we have not been clinical enough and tonight we were. A big boost for the team, nothing short of what they deserved."

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🇳🇬 <a href="https://twitter.com/joshmaja?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joshmaja</a> is the second Nigerian to score a brace on his first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PL</a> start, after Efan Ekoku in May 1993 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EVEFUL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EVEFUL</a> <a href="https://t.co/Zs0xXi0SDh">pic.twitter.com/Zs0xXi0SDh</a>&mdash; Premier League (@premierleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1361050126123491333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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While Maja's scoring performance on Sunday is a delight for his club boss, it brings a welcome headache for his national team coach Gernot Rohr.&nbsp;

Ahead of the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Rohr already had a host of attacking options.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/paul-onuachu-scores-again-for-genk-he-now-has-23-goals-this-season/mrjxsh8">Paul Onuachu</a> is tearing the Belgian Pro League apart with goals, Umar Sadiq is dominating the Spanish second division while Victor Osimhen has since regained fitness and played a slew of games for Napoli.&nbsp;

Rohr can only pick two from these three players, and that's why Maja's emergence brings more headache.&nbsp;

With his performance on Sunday, Maja has to be in the conversation. Scoring a brace away at a top-four contender in the Premier League counts for something.&nbsp;

Rohr has also been a fan of Maja. The Franco-German coach stays in Bordeaux and <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-coach-gernot-rohr-visits-his-bordeaux-to-see-nigerian-players-samuel/eg0svvw">paid regular visits to the striker</a> currently owned by the city's club.&nbsp;

It was also Rohr who gave the 22-year-old his only cap for the Super Eagles.&nbsp;

Maja has had just one good game, but a similar performance in another two is enough for him to force himself into Rohr's next squad. After all, this is the Premier League.&nbsp;

Josh Maja scored a brace as Fulham beat Everton 2-0 away on Sunday.

Striker Josh Maja propels Fulham to a rare Premier League win with a brace and increases Gernot Rohr's forward options

<h1>The January transfer window in Europe- the melting pot of world football- ended on Monday, February 1, 2021.&nbsp;</h1>

As it is standard for every Deadline Day, a slew of last-minute moves happened with a host of Nigerian players also involved.&nbsp;

The biggest of them all is Super Eagles striker Josh Maja who joined Premier League side Fulham on loan from French side Bordeaux.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/josh-maja-attracting-premier-league-interests/gdhqzx8">Maja </a>is a talented footballer, an athletically well-built striker who uses both feet well. He has the pace to disturb opposition defence and quite a good striker of the ball.&nbsp;

Playing for Bordeaux, especially this season, he had some fine performances although his numbers have not been great.

That's something he has to work on at Fulham who needs numbers as they fight to avoid the drop.&nbsp;

He managed just two goals in 17 league appearances for Bordeaux before his loan move to Fulham.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I'm very pleased with the signing of Josh [Maja]. He's young with big potential and he's a good finisher," Fulham boss Scott Parker said about the signing.

Born and brought up in London, the 22-year-old has been keen to return to the Premier League since he left Sunderland in 2019.&nbsp;

In search of regular playing time, Super Eagles midfielder Ramon Azeez has left La Liga side, Granada, to join Second Division Spanish Side, Cartagena on loan.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">OFICIAL | Ramón Azeez, equilibrio y músculo para cerrar una plantilla muy ilusionante <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BienvenidoAzeez?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BienvenidoAzeez</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/jQwdruXhdB">https://t.co/jQwdruXhdB</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZQ5KmMGMgQ">pic.twitter.com/ZQ5KmMGMgQ</a>&mdash; FC Cartagena (@FCCartagena_efs) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCCartagena_efs/status/1356374857856987144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Azeez played in just two league games in the 2020/2021 season for Granada and played another two games for them in the Copa del Rey.&nbsp;

Before deadline day, there were a host of other Nigerian players that switched clubs.&nbsp;

Former Golden Eaglets star Kelechi Nwakali has left La Liga side SD Huesca to join second division side AD Alcorcón on loan till the end of the season. The move is interesting; as at the time of his transfer, SD Huesca are the bottom team in La Liga and the same for AD Alcorcon in the Spanish second division.&nbsp;

Deadline Day transfer as it concerns Nigerian players.

Striker Josh Maja headlines Deadline Day transfers for Nigerian players

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<h1>Nigerian players continued to be in action for their respective sides over the weekend.&nbsp;</h1>

From France, Belgium to Spain, we review the performances of Nigerian players who were in action.&nbsp;

Nigerian forward Henry Onyekuru started his second consecutive Ligue 1 game of the season as Monaco managed a 1-0 away win at Metz. It was a better performance from Onyekuru than the previous week although he still struggled for most of the game. He, however, created a chance for Wissam Ben Yedder in the first half after fine footwork.&nbsp;

Nigerian striker Josh Maja netted a goal for Bordeaux who got a 2-0 win away at Angers on Sunday. Maja got on the end of a ball across the box to finish into an empty net. Maja was taken off in the 66th minute before his teammate and compatriot Samuel Kalu was introduced in the 78th minute.&nbsp;

Super Eagles forward Moses Simon played 90 minutes as Nantes beat Nimes 2-1 at home on Sunday. Simon was taken off at the 90th minute.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Great team work guys with the first victory of the season 💛💚💪 <a href="https://t.co/HwQMlAMAe3">pic.twitter.com/HwQMlAMAe3</a>&mdash; MSimon27 (M.O.N) (@Simon27Moses) <a href="https://twitter.com/Simon27Moses/status/1300155605089488896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Three Nigerian strikers Cyriel Dessers, David Okereke and Emmanuel Bonaventure were in action as Genk and Club Brugge clashed in a Belgian Pro League game on Sunday.&nbsp;

Dessers featured for all the 90 minutes for Genk and missed a penalty in the game in the 47th minute.&nbsp;

Okereke was also on from the start but gave way for his compatriot Bonaventure in the 75th minute.&nbsp;

Nigerian forward Sylvester Igboun was a second-half substitute for Dynamo Moscow who got a 1-1- draw away at FC Ufa.&nbsp;

Nigerian youngster Chidera Ejuke made his debut for CSKA Moscow on Sunday. Ejuke came on in the 67th minute as Moscow beat Akhmat Grozny 3-0 away from home.&nbsp;

Nigerian forward Samuel Chukwueze scored for Villarreal over the weekend in a friendly game. Villarreal lost 2-1 to Valencia.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ValenciaVillarreal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ValenciaVillarreal</a> | 0-1 🚨 HALF-TIME | The Yellows go into the break a goal up after a <a href="https://twitter.com/chukwueze_8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chukwueze_8</a> goal. 💪 <a href="https://t.co/v7W0xyVwWV">pic.twitter.com/v7W0xyVwWV</a>&mdash; Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) <a href="https://twitter.com/VillarrealCFen/status/1299419105926225922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo scored a goal for Leganess who beat Eiber 3-1 in a friendly game on Saturday.&nbsp;

On Friday, Victor Osimhen got off on a great start for Napoli with an eight-minute hat-trick in a friendly game.&nbsp;

Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was in action for Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premier Division on Sunday. He was taken off late in the first half of Chiefs 1-0 loss away at Bidvest Wits after he collided with an opposing player. He was given lengthy treatment on the pitch before he was taken off.&nbsp;

A review of how Nigerian players abroad performed over the weekend.

Nigerian Players Abroad: Josh Maja scores in France while Cyriel Dessers misses penalty

<h1>Super Eagles striker Josh Maja has been linked with a return to England where Premier League side West Ham are showing an interest.&nbsp;</h1>

Maja started his career in England with Sunderland before he moved to France to play for Bordeaux.&nbsp;

After a season and a half in Ligue 1, the 21-year-old is set to be on the move and West Ham are one of the sides interested in the Nigeria international.&nbsp;

West Ham manager David Moyes is keen on the striker whom he worked with at Sunderland and is looking to rival Ranges for his signature.&nbsp;

Moyes wants to want Maja to his frontline after keeping West Ham up in the Premier League.&nbsp;

Although he is not pushing for a move, Bordeaux may be forced to sell the striker due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Maja was Bordeaux’s joint-top scorer with eight goals which came in just eight starts <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/josh-maja-scores-a-hat-trick-as-bordeaux-thrash-nimes-6-0-in-ligue-1/lemtx9p">including a hattrick in a league against Nimes in December 2019</a>.&nbsp;

Although he didn't start regularly at Bordeaux, no teammate scored more league goals than Maja.

Super Eagles striker Josh Maja linked with West Ham move

<h1>Super Eagles forward Josh Maja has revealed that he would love to play for boyhood club Arsenal.&nbsp;</h1>

Born in London, the Bordeaux forward has admitted that it is his dream to play for Arsenal, the club he supported as a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Obviously, growing up in London, one of my dreams is to play in the Premier League,” Maja said in an interview with beIN Sports.&nbsp;

“Hopefully in the future, that opportunity will come.&nbsp;

Josh Maja grew up in London where he fell in love with Arsenal (Twitter/Bordeaux)

ALSO READ: <a data-link-role-code="none" href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/josh-maja-scores-a-hat-trick-as-bordeaux-thrash-nimes-6-0-in-ligue-1/lemtx9p">When Josh Maja netted a hattrick for Bordeaux</a>

“My team is Arsenal, so hopefully one day I’ll get the opportunity to play for them. If not, then I’ll keep supporting them anyway.”

Maja started his career in England where he played for the Crystal Palace, Fulham and Sunderland youth teams.&nbsp;

It was at Sunderland he made his senior debut before he moved to France to play for Bordeaux.&nbsp;

The Nigeria international has seven goals for Bordeaux so far this season.&nbsp;

Josh Maja netted a hat-trick in midweek and has four goals in his last two games for Bordeaux

Maja says he has hopes of playing for Arsenal, the club he supported as a kid.

Super Eagles forward Josh Maja reveals Arsenal ambition

<h1>Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr on Monday, January 20, 2020, paid a visit to Bordeaux’s training ground to see his Nigerian players Samuel Kalu and Josh Maja.&nbsp;</h1>

Rohr who resides in Boardeax’s made a short trip to check up the Nigerian players who play for the French side.&nbsp;

“Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr is present at this morning's training session at Bordeaux today to watch Samuel Kalu &amp; Josh Maja,” reported Ge French Football News on Twitter.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr is present at this morning&#39;s training session at Bordeaux today to watch Samuel Kalu &amp; Josh Maja.&mdash; Get French Football News (@GFFN) <a href="https://twitter.com/GFFN/status/1219208865323126785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Since his debut in October 2018, Kalu has been a regular player in Rohr’s Super Eagles and made three appearances at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).&nbsp;

Samuel Kalu has not impressed at Bordeaux so far this season

For Bordeaux this season, the 22-year-old forward has failed to hit top form with just one goal in 16 games.

Josh Maja has played only one game for the Super Eagles of Nigeria

Maja made his debut in September 2019 and <a data-link-role-code="none" href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/josh-maja-scores-a-hat-trick-as-bordeaux-thrash-nimes-6-0-in-ligue-1/lemtx9p" rel="noopener noreferrer">has scored five goals in 16 games for Bordeaux</a>.&nbsp;

Josh Maja and Gernot Rohr (Twitter/SO_Girondins)

Rohr watched his two Super Eagles players train with their club Bordeaux.

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr visits his Bordeaux to see Nigerian players Samuel Kalu and Josh Maja

<h1>Nigerian striker Josh Maja scored three times to help Bordeaux to a big 6-0 win over Nimes in a Ligue 1 clash on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.</h1>

Maja scored Bordeaux's first three goals of the game to help them to the home win.

The 20-year-old striker opened the scoring in the 24th minute and doubled Bordeaux’s lead in the 37th minute.

He made it 3-0 for the home side in the 53rd minute before Nicolas de Preville and Otavio Henrique Santos completed the rout.&nbsp;

“I feel good, I’m very happy to get my first hattrick for Boardeaz and in my career,” the Nigeria international said in a video shared on Twitter by Bordeaux.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Les réactions de Ben Costil, Otavio et Josh Maja après <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCGBNO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCGBNO</a> <a href="https://t.co/8uJOfMgOTf">pic.twitter.com/8uJOfMgOTf</a>&mdash; FC Girondins de Bordeaux (@girondins) <a href="https://twitter.com/girondins/status/1201977729090019329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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“Of course it’s a good night for the team as we picked up three points. We performed very well, so we are going to keep working and prepare for the next game.”&nbsp;

Maja has been a bit-part player for Bordeaux this season with only three starts in 14 league games. With his hat-trick, he now has five goals this season.&nbsp;

Maja scored his side's first three goals of the game.

Nigerian striker Josh Maja scores a hat trick as Bordeaux thrash Nimes 6-0 in Ligue 1

<h1>Super Eagles new boys Dennis Bonaventure, Maduka Okoye, Joe Aribo and Josh Maja all performed rendition of popular songs for their teammates as part of their initiation into the team. </h1>

Bonaventure, Okoye, Aribo and Maja were all called up to the Super Eagles for the first time ahead of <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-camp-opens-ahead-of-the-friendly-game-against-ukraine/2pflfnn" link="null" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nigeria friendly game against Ukraine</a> on Tuesday, September 10.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Ukraine on Tuesday in Dnipro (Twitter/NFF)

ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-boss-gernot-rohr-recalls-kelechi-iheanacho-and-calls-up-a-new-goalkeeper/j05b78d" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out the full Super Eagles squad for friendly against Ukraine</a>

As it is customary in football, new members are made to sing in front of their teammates as part of the initiation ceremony and that was what the four players did at Super Eagles camp in Dnipro.

In clips shared by several Super Eagles players on Instagram, the new players are seen performing renditions of popular songs in front of their teammates.

With a Naira Marley record playing from his phone, Aribo sang along to the lyrics of the song and danced to the delight of the Super Eagles players.

Germany-born goalkeeper Maduka Okoye showed he is Nigerian through and through with the rendition of Kizz Daniel's hit song 'Madu'.

Bordeaux forward Maja went foreign with the performance of ‘Non Stop’ by Drake.

PAOK FC midfielder Anderson Esiti is not new to the Super Eagles after having his debut in 2017 but he was made to also perform a rendition of 2Baba's African queen.

The five players will be hoping to get some minutes when Nigeria take on Ukraine on Tuesday at the Dnipro Arena.

While Okoye and Aribo were originally in Rohr’s 23-man squad for the friendly, Bonaventure, Maja and Esiti were called up to replace the regulars who withdrew from the squad.

ALSO READ: <a data-link-role-code="none" href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/maduka-okoye-says-he-wants-to-play-for-the-super-eagles-of-nigeria/s3dm3n5" rel="noopener noreferrer">German-born goalkeeper Maduka Okoye says he wants to play for Nigeria</a>

Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Maduka Okoye, Leon Balogun

The new players took turns to perform for the Super Eagles during dinner in camp.

Super Eagles new boys Dennis Bonaventure, Maduka Okoye, Joe Aribo and Josh Maja perform renditions of popular songs in front of teammates for their initiation

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<h1>Player of Nigerian descent Josh Maja has signed for French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux on Saturday, January 26.</h1>

Maja has been in good form for English third division side Sunderland, finding the back of the net frequently.

The 20-year-old who started had stints with Crystal Palace, Fulham and <a id="e85ef097-3a16-4468-842a-2f89fbd4e83a" href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/manchester-city-premier-league-champions-finally-celebrate-trophy-photos/vehcfxs">reigning Premier League champions Manchester City</a> has decided to continue his development away from England with France.

Bordeaux confirmed his arrival from Sunderland through a message on their official website.

Josh Maja will wear the Number 27 at Bordeaux [Bordeaux]

The statement said, "The Girondins de Bordeaux are pleased to announce the signing of 20-year-old striker Josh Maja from Sunderland."

The statement on the website also confirmed that Maja will wear the number 27 and has signed for four and a half year at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.

Highly rated in England several clubs were interested in Maja but decided to move abroad for his first taste of professional football in the first division.

Josh Maja has signed for four and a half years at Bordeaux [Bordeaux]

He is expected to form a partnership with <a id="60c3b954-fe62-4eb3-997d-ec79b051a750" href="https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/samuel-kalu-5-things-to-know-about-forward-that-replaced-victor-moses/z9bemyw">Super Eagles forward Samuel Kalu</a> who signed for Bordeaux in the summer transfer window.

Maja who was born in Lewisham, England is eligible to play for Nigeria due ton his parents and has not played for the Three Lions.

Josh Maja