Musa Maliq to Zulte Waregem: Ranking top 5 Nigerians in the club’s history

Belgian side Zulte Waregem have completed the signing of Nigerian youngster Musa Maliq from Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) side Ikorodu City, Afrik-Foot reports.

The highly rated teenager began his career in Ikorodu City’s youth team before being promoted to the senior side in August 2025 alongside several other promising players.

Maliq went on to make 15 appearances for the club, scoring two goals as Ikorodu City finished fourth in the NPFL standings and narrowly missed out on a place in Europe after being pipped by fellow Nigerian side Shooting Stars.

The 18-year-old initially made four appearances across all competitions during the 2024-25 season while still part of the club’s youth setup before making 11 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.

Last season, he scored once in Ikorodu City’s 4-2 defeat to Niger Tornadoes and provided an assist in their 1-0 win over Bendel Insurance. His other goal came during the 2024-25 season against Abia Warriors.

Zulte Waregem complete deal for Musa Maliq

According to reports, Zulte Waregem have completed a one-year loan deal for the NPFL star, with Maliq set to join the Belgian club for the 2026-27 season.

The Belgian side reportedly beat competition from Spanish champions Barcelona, who were also interested in securing a deal for the young Nigerian.

An impressive spell with Zulte Waregem could give the teenager a bigger platform to develop his game, while also increasing his chances of earning a future call-up to the Super Eagles.

With the Nigerian national team undergoing a rebuilding process, Maliq could eventually get his opportunity if he continues on the same trajectory he showed during his time in the NPFL.

He could make his debut for Zulte Waregem soon, with the Belgian league already underway. A strong stint in Belgium would not only boost his chances of representing the Super Eagles but could also put him in line for a much bigger move in the future.

Ranking the top 5 Nigerians in Zulte Waregem’s history

Following the completion of his move to Zulte Waregem, Musa Maliq has become the eighth Nigerian player in the history of the Belgian club.

However, several Nigerians have previously made their mark at Zulte Waregem, and Afrik-Foot looks at five players who enjoyed notable spells at the club before Maliq’s arrival.

5. Chinonso Offor

Nigerian forward Chinonso Offor played for Zulte Waregem during a short loan spell in the 2022/23 season after joining the club from Major League Soccer side CF Montréal.

The 26-year-old had joined the MLS side in 2022 but struggled for regular playing time before making the move to Belgium. He featured for Zulte Waregem during the first half of the season before returning to the United States.

Offor has since left CF Montréal and currently plies his trade with Russian side Baltika Kaliningrad.

4. Tosin Dosunmu

Former Super Eagles striker Tosin Dosunmu also enjoyed a spell at Zulte Waregem during his playing career.

The Lagos-born forward joined the Belgian club on loan from French side Nancy and went on to make several appearances during his time there.

The move represented another chapter in Dosunmu’s long career in Belgian football, having previously played for clubs including Molenbeek, Dender, Mechelen, Westerlo and Beerschot.

3. Kingsley Madu

Former Super Eagles defender Kingsley Madu became the third Nigerian in Zulte Waregem’s history following his move from Slovakian club AS Trenčín.

Madu quickly became an influential player at the club and was part of the Zulte Waregem team that won the Belgian Cup during the 2016/17 season.

Madu later left Zulte Waregem on loan in 2019 before making a permanent move to Danish side Odense, continuing his career outside Belgium.

2. Peter Olayinka

Super Eagles forward Peter Olayinka also enjoyed an impressive spell at Zulte Waregem between 2017 and 2018.

The 30-year-old joined the club in the summer of 2017 and enjoyed a productive 2017/18 campaign, making an impact during his time in Belgium.

His spell at Zulte Waregem also played a part in one of the biggest moves of his career, as he eventually earned a transfer to Czech giants Slavia Prague.

1. Tochukwu Nnadi

Super Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi was the last Nigerian player at Zulte Waregem before the arrival of Musa Maliq.

The 23-year-old made more than 50 appearances for the Belgian club between 2024 and 2026, making him the Nigerian with the most appearances in Zulte Waregem’s history.

Nnadi was also part of the team that secured promotion to the Belgian top flight before eventually leaving the club to join French giants Olympique de Marseille earlier this year.

Musa Maliq will now hope to follow in the footsteps of these players and make his own mark at Zulte Waregem. An impressive spell in Belgium could also put him in a strong position to earn a permanent move in the future.