The one-time Nigeria international was looking for his 17 league goal of the campaign, but his luck failed to shine at the Matmut Atlantique on Saturday afternoon
One-cap Super Eagles striker Josh Maja failed to take his chances, but Girondins Bordeau continued their match towards Ligue 1 promotion with an excellent 3-0 home win over Laval at the Stade Matmut-Atlantique in a matchday 36 encounter.
Awaiting the arrival of Laval on Saturday, Bordeaux were in brilliant form and high in confidence, having lost just one of their last 12 league games.
Top scorer Josh Maja had been crucial to that run, as he had found the back of the net five times in his last nine games.
And it was no surprise to see Girondins Bordeaux seize control of the match against Laval as early as the third minute when Yoann Barbet opened the scoring.
Thirty minutes later, Zurab Davitashvili doubled the home team’s advantage after combining well with Dilane Bakwa.
It appeared it was the turn of Josh Maja to shine when the referee awarded Bordeaux a penalty kick for a foul on Dilane Bakwa in the 44th minute.
Maja stepped forward with composure but saw his effort saved by Laval goalkeeper Alexis Sauvage.
Incredibly, Maja won another penalty for Bordeaux a couple of minutes later after taking the ball for an incredibly bewildering dribble in the opponent’s danger area.
The former Sunderland striker dusted himself up to take the resulting shot only to send the ball wide of the goalposts.
Stian Gregersen scored the home side’s third early in the second half to seal the win, but Maja, who was replaced in the 80th minute, will be knocking himself for the missed chances.
Maja remains Bordeaux’s leading goalscorer with 16 league goals – 11 more than any of his teammates.
With the win, Bordeaux remain in second position and are guaranteed a spot in Ligue 1 next season if they win their remaining two league matches.
This post was last modified on May 23, 2023 6:22 am