Bordeaux's Kalu With Match-winning Assist On His Return But Suffers Injury Relapse

Samuel Kalu supplied the match-winning assist on his return to action after spending six weeks on the sidelines as Bordeaux earned a 1-0 road win against Stade Rennais in a French Ligue 1 match on Friday evening, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Prior to yesterday's fixture, the Nigeria international had not figured for club and country since he went off injured in the second half of the Super Eagles 1-0 loss to Algeria in an international friendly on October 9.

Eight minutes before half time, Hatem Ben Arfa netted the game winner as he fired a shot past goalkeeper Gomis after Kalu spotted his run and picked him out.

Bordeaux manager Jean-Louis Gasset suggested at the pre-match press conference ahead of the visit to Rennes that the Super Eagles star would not be rushed back into action and his surprise decision to hand him a shock start backfired on him when the Nigerian suffered a relapse of his injury.

According to L'Equipe, Kalu made way for Rémi Oudin at the hour mark after feeling discomfort in the hamstring, the same injury that kept him on the sidelines for several weeks.

One-cap Nigeria international Josh Maja started and was in action for 60 minutes against Rennes.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel