Josh Maja: Nigeria forward bags brace in Bordeaux draw at Caen

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria forward Josh Maja scored two goals as his French Ligue 2 side Bordeaux settled for a 2-2 draw with Caen at the Stade Michel d’Ornano in Caen.

The host had played five straight games without a win in all competitions ahead of Tuesday’s night clash.

The visitors, on their own part, arrived at Stade Michel d’Ornano with a win in its last four games including a 5-3 loss to Niort in a friendly match in December last year.

Second-placed David Guion’s side had a bright start to the game, racing to a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Honduras forward, Alberth Elis set up Josh Maja who converted the visitors’ opening goal in the fourth minute before Maja doubled his team’s lead from Yoann Barbet’s assist in the 25th minute.

In the second half, the host came out smoking in a bid to salvage a point that it eventually earned and Guinea Bissau forward, Alexandre Mendy started the redemption song as he pulled a goal back for Caen in the 52nd minute.

Tunisian defender Ali Abdi equalised for the host in 82nd minute after Clement Michelin was sent off for Bordeaux with his second bookable offense, while Caen’s Yohan Court was also sent off two minutes after time.

Maja who started the game for Bordeaux was replaced by Sénégalese forward Aliou Badji after scoring his ninth and tenth league goal of the campaign in 18 games.

Bordeaux with 32 points occupy the second position in French Ligue 2, seven points behind leaders, Le Havre and two points more than third-placed Sochaux.

The team will next play Tolu Arokodare’s Amiens on January 13 at the Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux.