Super Eagles and West Bromwich Albion striker Josh Maja was delighted after finding the back of the net in his side's 1-0 win over Norwich City, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 26-year-old suffered a lower leg injury after starting 2025 with a hat-trick against Preston North End. He was required to have surgery to quicken his rehabilitation.
The former Fulham striker returned to action in August, playing 12 minutes in Albion's 1-1 draw against Derby County in the EFL Cup.
10 months since his last start for the club, coach Ryan Mason trusted the England-born Nigerian to lead the line against Norwich, and he made his opportunity count, grabbing a goal in the 20th minute before he was subbed off on the hour mark.
| GOAL, Josh Maja Gives westbrom the Lead !!!!
NORWICH CITY 0 – 1 WEST BROM #WBA #NCFC pic.twitter.com/9kwlUHeTNa
— WideFootball (@_widefootball) October 1, 2025
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Goal is a confidence boost – Maja
After the game, despite playing just an hour at Carrow Road, Maja was pleased to have gotten into the starting lineup after a long time out.
“It was amazing to be in the starting XI after a while,” the former Stoke City forward said in quotes revealed by the club's official website.
“I was really looking forward to the opportunity to play, and I thank the gaffer for giving me the chance.
“I enjoyed myself. Scoring the winner was a brilliant feeling, but earning the win was the most important thing tonight. Hopefully, we can push on from here.
“Scoring goals is one of my strengths, and I hope to carry on scoring goals and being part of a winning team.
“I want this to be the start of a spell for me where I score as many goals as possible, which is what any forward wants.”
Quizzed about how he feels about scoring after a dry spell, the ex-Bordeaux man described it as a blessing.
“It’s difficult to describe the feeling of scoring in detail, but it was definitely a rush. I had that feeling a few times last season, and it’s great to get off the mark this season. It’s a blessing.
“I think we’ve started the season quite well, and I’ve been coming back from injury. For me, it’s been about getting as fit as possible, training well and being ready when called on.
Josh Maja. Goal getter. pic.twitter.com/073Ri6G5BN
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) October 1, 2025
“The staff have done an amazing job to help me get back to a position of being ready, and I thank them for that massively.
“I think tonight was the perfect time to come in, score and help the team win the game.
“Tonight’s win is a massive confidence boost for us because this league isn’t easy, and it’s difficult to win away matches.
“We’ve come away with three points after suffering for some moments. That shows the character we have,” Maja concluded.
The striker's performance also drew praise from the club's head coach, Ryan Mason, who mentioned he never stopped believing in his abilities.
“I’m super happy for Josh Maja to score the goal. He’s worked very hard, and we’ve been patient with him.
“We believed that was the right thing to do because of the time he had out, but, at the same time, we know he can affect games of football.
“I think that will do him the world of good and give him lots of confidence,” the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder said in his post-game conference.
Ryan Mason was forced into retirement in 2017 after suffering a skull fracture when he clashed heads with Gary Cahill.
He began an interim coaching role with Spurs in 2021 before taking on the West Brom role in June.
