After months of dispute over the ownership of Sunday Mba, the Nigerian attacker has finally begun his professional career in Europe. The player, who scored the goal that won the African Nations Cup for Nigeria in February in South Africa, left Warri Wolves for French team CA Bastia on Thursday.

The 24-year-old has signed a one-year deal, the Ligue 2 club told reporters including Reuters correspondent in Corsica.

Mba, who was on target in the 40th minute of the 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the Nations Cup final match in Johannesburg, cost CA Bastia a fee of €1.32m.

The promoted French club are 15th in the 20-team table with two points from four games.

The move to France ends the severally speculated moves to Turkey and other rumoured countries since he hit the limelight with a superb strike against a Cote d’Ivoire team inspired by legendary Didier Drogba. Soon afterwards the player became a subject of controversy over ownership between Wolves and Enugu Rangers. The dispute became messy which forced the Nigeria Football Federation to set up a committee to handle the matter.

One of the implications of the Mba transfer to Europe means that Nigeria will no longer get his services when the African Nations Championships hold in South Africa in January. The competition which Nigeria qualified for the first time after eliminating Cote d’Ivoire is reserved specifically for players in their various countries domestic league. Mba played a major role in the qualifying race for the competition holding in the third edition.

And just as the Mba was jetting out on Thursday, Bayelsa United moved to the top of the Nigeria league after a remarkable goalless draw at Sunshine Stars in Akure. Bayelsa United are now on top of the standings with 46 points from 28 games.

Six-time champions Enyimba have 45 points, same as third-placed Kano Pillars. Coach Ladan Bosso’s team frustrated their hosts to run away with a point on the road.

Leading the league is a familiar terrain for Bayelsa who won the Nigeria Premier league in 2009 only to be sensationally relegated the following season. They won promotion back to the top flight this season.

The goalkeeper of the Yenegoa-based club Emmanuel Fabiyi told MTNFootball.com their target since the beginning of the league has been to win it and they are now on course.

He said, “We thank God for the draw against Sunshine Stars, it was not easy. Our target is to win the league and now that we are on top, we want to do our best to remain there. It won’t be easy though, but we are good enough to win the league.”

Action in the league will continue on Sunday with Week 29 matches across the country.

-Punch