Ibrahim Maza scores brace in Leverkusen’s thrashing of Heidenheim

Algeria national team starlet Ibrahim Maza is seizing his opportunities with Bayer Leverkusen, rewarding coach Kasper Hjulmand with two goals in the club’s 6-0 Bundesliga destruction of Heidenhim on Saturday.

The 19-year-old scored his first two Bundesliga goals for the club after opening his account for the 2023-24 champions in a DfB Pokal victory ten days ago. Maza, previously a German youth international, joined Die Schwarzroten for a large transfer fee ahead of the ongoing campaign after impressing in the Bundesliga 2 with Hertha BSC.

Saturday’s victory was complete dismantling of visitors Heidenheim. The hosts were two goals ahead within the opening twenty minutes through goals from Patrick Schick and Jonas Hofmann, whose goal arrived from an assist by Burkina Faso national team star Edmond Tapsoba. Schick added a second goal and Ernest Poku made it 4-0 before a half hour had elapsed.

Maza contributed his first goal just before halftime with a sliding volley from Aleix Garcia’s cross. His second goal in the 53rd minute was even more impressive. Receiving a pass from Tapsoba thirty yards from goal, the playmaker showed his excellent acceleration to surge past a defender before finishing to complete the scoring.

Since making his breakthrough goal contribution in the cup, the young Algerian international is showing signs of increased confidence as his role grows for the Bundesliga contenders. With three goals in fourteen appearances under his belt now, Maza and his club will take two weeks off for the international break before traveling to face Wolfsburg.