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Tag: Victor Boniface

  • Victor Boniface: Expect more from me this season

    Victor Boniface: Expect more from me this season

    As a fresh Bundesliga season kicks off, Nigerian attacker Victor Boniface is looking forward to a rewarding 2024-25 term with him getting in the centre of things with defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. Speaking exclusively with Bundesliga.com, the supportive striker said his team can deliver another memorable season after going unbeaten en route to winning the Bundesliga and DFB Cup last season.

    Bundesliga winner, DFB Cup winner, Rookie of the Season… How can you top a season like that?

    Of course. I can’t really top the Rookie of the Season because I am not a rookie anymore, but we can achieve the same thing, not just me alone, but the team in general. We had a fantastic season last year and we see what it meant to the people, because they supported. We don’t mind giving them that again. Try to do what we did the last season. Try to achieve something good again.

    If you had to choose just one title, which one would it have been and what makes it special?

    I would have to pick the Bundesliga. Because I think that trophy has been missing in the BayArena. They haven’t won the league before, so I think they deserve something like that.

    You invited your youth coach from Nigeria to the title celebrations. What was the motivation behind this?

    He was the first coach that gave me the opportunity, he was the first coach that scouted me from secondary school. He brought me from secondary school to his team. I was with him almost for six, seven, eight years. He was the first one that gave me a really good platform to start showcasing my talents. To pay him back, I wanted to bring him so he can see how far I’ve come and to be part of the celebration with me. So, I brought him.

    Have we already seen Victor Boniface at his limit?

    No, no, no. There is a lot more. In terms of everything. In terms of me to improve as a player and learn new stuff. There is room for improvement for me. I am the type of guy that learns every day. So, I think there is more I can achieve individually and in terms of collective with the team. It is like I said, I learn every day. For my own side, I think there is more of what I know I can do, but it is not just about me. It is about the whole team. The most important thing is the team. As long as we are winning I am happy and I am fine with it.”

    What role did your three-month injury break last season play?

    Before the injury, I was decent. Not just me, like I said, the team we were doing well. During my injury the team was also doing well. When I came back, they were also doing well. For me as a football player, I want to improve in every aspect. Even though I know I had a great season last year, I want to improve. I want to learn day by day. I want to get to the highest level. So, there is a lot of room for improvement for me.”

    How is your fitness – especially in view of the fact that you didn’t play a tournament during the summer break?

     I had a good summer. I went to the national team. We had World Cup qualifiers. I was there for two weeks and it was also good for me to spend time with my family. I haven’t seen some of them for years. To spend those moments with them really helped me, because after the injury, even though I was back, I was a little bit stressed, but I needed my family around with me. So, after the season I spent quality time with them. Now I am back focusing on the new season.”

    Many of the coaches think you’re already in top form. Are they right?

    Yes. They are the ones watching the training. They saw me when I came and they saw me when I was injured and they are seeing me now. So, for them to say this, I think they have a point. I don’t know what they are saying, but if not just one or two people are saying this, I think they have to be right.”

    What is different?

    I don’t really know, but what I know is that after my injury I wasn’t very comfortable when I came back. I was a little bit scared of the stuff in my head, like what if it would happen again. With an injury like this, it takes time in your head to be back 100 percent again. So, after the season I spent quality time and holiday. Now I am back and I don’t have that in my head. So, I am back and ready to fight and give 100 percent.

    Are you a person who thinks a lot?

    No, I don’t think so. To be honest, I don’t think about stuff, but at that point of time last season, after the injury, I think when I returned after a week or two I was feeling pain and I was uncomfortable. I was stressed.

    You made your international debut for Nigeria in September 2023. What did that mean to you?

    For me it is a dream to represent a country like Nigeria. We have almost 200 million people. To be part of like 20 or 30 players representing the country is the biggest dream for me, because watching people playing and representing the country when I was I kid – to be part of the national them was a dream for me. I was really happy to be a part of it.

    Has the perception of people in Nigeria towards you changed?

    For me, it didn’t change, but I think for my family it changed because they see me representing Nigeria. They have a different mindset, a different thinking now. However, for me it is about coming to help the country, playing and having fun on the pitch, so it is not different.”

    Fourteen goals in 23 Bundesliga games. Do you see yourself on the same level as Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy?

    They are top, top players, top strikers. Harry Kane has been doing this for so many years, same as Guirassy. I learned a lot from these guys because I watched a lot of them before, but now I am focusing on myself. I don’t think… Many people might be thinking I might be on the same level, but I am focusing on how to improve and how to help my team. I don’t really think about me competing with anybody. I am just trying to go on the pitch, have fun, win games and help my team. That is what I focus on.”

    Read Also: VICTOR BONIFACE: I like making people laugh

    What is your biggest strength?

    I don’t really have one. The way I am seeing myself, I don’t really have one particular aspect. I couldn’t say I am really good at this because I am also really good at other aspects as well. I am really good in dribbling, I am really good in passing – you can see the assists I had. So, there is a lot of stuff I am really good at, However, I know that in the overall game I am up there.”

    And where do you see the greatest strengths of Kane and Guirassy?

    I think for Harry Kane it is the goal scoring ability. In the box he is deadly. When he has a chance in the box he is deadly. For Guirassy it is going behind in the box. That is the mentality I am trying to have. I am still young, I am still learning from people like them. So, I think I have a lot to learn when it comes to that area; to be deadly. When I have four or five chances, I should score at least four. I am still learning, I am trying to get to that point.

    What is the biggest challenge for the new season?

    Now everybody will want to beat Leverkusen, because we went unbeaten last season in the league. So, I think everybody will want to be the first to break this. However, you can see the guys, everyone not just me. Everyone is focused. We had a really good season, we achieved something great. We see the joy in the face of the players, the coach, the staff, everyone. So, we really want to have the same feeling at the end of the season. If you have a good meal tonight for example, you want to have it tomorrow. So, we had that great season last year and we want to achieve something good also this season. So, we are looking forward to the new season.”


  • Boniface, Lookman clash as Leverkusen, Atalanta target Europa Cup

    Boniface, Lookman clash as Leverkusen, Atalanta target Europa Cup

    Nigerian forwards, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, will hope to add to their recent Bundesliga triumph with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday when their side take on compatriot, Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta in the Europa League final. The match will be broadcast on GOtv.

    Xabi Alonso’s men are on the hunt for the club’s second Europa League title as they bid to complete a historic unbeaten treble. However, they will have to overcome a fluid attacking Atalanta side that knocked Liverpool out of the competition.Tune in GO Football (ch 61) at 8pm to watch the match live.

    The Germans overturned a two-goal deficit against Roma to secure a 2-2 draw in the second leg of their semi-final clash after Leandro Paredes’ brace had given the visitors a chance to crawl back into the tie. But Gianluca Mancini’s own goal swung the tie in Leverkusen’s favour, before Croatia defender, Josip Stanisic’s late equaliser sealed the team’s place in the final on a 4-2 aggregate score.

     “We’re happy to be in the final. We’ll play two finals in a week as a result. We showed great character today after their second goal. I looked my players in the eye afterwards and saw that they wanted more. We still have the chance to win three titles. And my boys deserve all three titles,” Alonso told the media after the match.

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    Nigerian forward, Lookman, was on the scoresheet when Atalanta defeated Marseille 3-0 in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final clash as the team booked their first European final appearance with a 4-1 aggregate score. Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping to win his first managerial trophy while also leading his exciting Italian side to European history.

    “It’s a historic achievement for us, we also celebrated after Liverpool, after Sporting, rightly so. But we know very well that it’s not over. Now we have several important games to play and we will have time to think about Leverkusen,” Gasperini told the media after the team’s victory over Marseille.

    The last time the two sides met was in the Last 16 of the 2021/22 Europa League season when Gasperini’s side defeated Leverkusen 4-2 aggregate score after securing a 3-2 victory home and then following it up with a 0-1 defeat away from home. The Italians will be hoping to repeat the feat against an undefeated Leverkusen side currently under the tutelage of Alonso, a Champions League winner with Liverpool and Real Madrid

  • VICTOR BONIFACE: I like making people laugh

    VICTOR BONIFACE: I like making people laugh

    From his signature celebration: swaggering, finger-pointing, and his offhand memes, gesture and comments on the social media, Nigeria and Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface comes across as a funny individual.                         

    He said of his celebration. “To be honest, it doesn’t mean anything. After scoring an equaliser in Belgium, I was being chased by a teammate and was trying to do something really funny.

    “I saw the clip and thought — this is nice. It’s a funny celebration.”

    Boniface was at his funny best during the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), when he engaged in good-natured banter with his friend Kwadwo Sheldon, a well-known Ghanaian YouTuber.

    The exchange occurred on the social media platform X, after Nigeria won their opening match against Cote d’Ivoire. He taunted Sheldon in Pidgin English), saying, “Oh Ghanaians, una better win today if not na today una go explain give the world how pastor turns paster.”

    Boniface is also known to pasting funny memes on X. The Bayer Leverkusen striker has garnered a strong following among X users due to his hilarious tweets.   

    “I like to say funny things and that is why I’m friend to many Nigerian comedians like Sabinus, Broda Shaggi, AY and others. I follow them and they also follow me. I’m an Edo boy maybe that is why I’m very much like (Victor) Osimhen and we like to keep it simple and happy. The life of footballers is quite boring, you cannot just go out and do whatever you want, you cannot go to club like ordinary people, so when I’m home I just like to do things. I like to be myself and make others happy.”      

    After sealing the Bundesliga title, Boniface was seen partying alongside his teammates well into the night.

    “Sometimes it’s difficult to switch out of party mood,” Boniface said, admitting “the guys who were drinking, I think some of them had a little bit of a tough day the next day at training.”

    Despite interest from many clubs around Europe, Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has revealed he does not intend to leave the Bundesliga champions this summer.

    “Right now my full focus is on Leverkusen and being ready to try and achieve more good things with the club.”

    The 23-year-old has been a revelation since his move from Belgian side Union St Gilloise to the Bay Arena, where he has helped Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history.

    Staying put at Leverkusen despite interest from top clubs across Europe; Napoli, West Ham, Newcastle United and Roma, for Boniface may not be unconnected with his strong connection to his coach Xabi Alonso.  

    “Imagine you’re training and your coach is doing better than you,” Boniface told AFP in an interview.

    “Then you want to step up your game.

    “For him to be involved in training gives us a boost,” Boniface said of Alonso, who “has won everything that can be won in football”.

    “Sometimes he tells me of players he played with, with similar abilities to me. He tries to improve me in my weakest areas.”

    Their runs to the German Cup final, where they face second-division Kaiserslautern, and Europa League semi-finals, where they beat Roma 2-0, mean they have gone a record 47 games unbeaten in all competitions this season.

    ‘I love penalties’

    Boniface, 23, was born in the southern Nigerian city of Akure and told AFP he was “always” a football fan.

    Earlier this month, he coolly dispatched a penalty to open the scoring in the 5-0 home rout of Werder Bremen which made Leverkusen Bundesliga champions for the first time.

    Leverkusen had never previously won a league title in their 120-year history.

    The club’s record of second-placed finishes — often somehow snatching defeat from the jaws of victory — saw them tainted with the unwanted ‘Neverkusen’ moniker, but Boniface said he was not nervous when he took the spot-kick.

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    “No. To be honest, I didn’t feel pressure. We’re football players.

    “Moments like this — I took the responsibility to help the team. That’s why I’m here. I love penalties.”

    The pressure of a spot-kick pales in comparison with some of the struggles Boniface has already endured in his young career.

    ENDURANCE

    He moved from Nigeria to Norway at 18, signing with Bodo/Glimt.

    Despite playing a part in the club’s first-ever Norwegian title in 2020, he tore his ACL twice and later said he considered quitting the game.

    After a successful stint with Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, he moved to Leverkusen last July, receiving his first Super Eagles call-up earlier this season, which he called “a dream come true”.

    He scored 16 goals in his first 23 games but was then injured again while preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, missing four months including his country’s run to the final, where they lost to hosts Cote d’Ivoire.

    ‘With this team we can do something’

    He does however look forward to playing in the Champions League with Leverkusen, saying “it will be one of the proudest moments for me.”

    His transfers didn’t come with much fanfare, but Xabi Alonso had done his homework to secure his services and he prepared a mount for the title.

    Boniface started the season like a house on fire, scoring eight goals in his first 13 games for the club as others took notice.

    He also raked in several Bundesliga Rookie of the Month awards, Bundesliga Player of the Month, and Bayer Leverkusen Player of the Month awards as his stock continued to rise.

    The striker was primed for great things with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in January. However, he got injured during Nigeria’s training camp in Dubai, which made him miss three months of the Bundesliga campaign and 11 games in the German top-flight.

    He said of the injury. “It was really difficult when I got injured. When I got injured, in my head I said ‘OK, I’m missing AFCON, I’m going to miss a lot of games for Leverkusen.’

    “During that time it was difficult for me, but I have my teammates and a club which takes care of me.

    “It’s difficult but at the same time it’s just football. There are good moments and bad — it’s just how you take it.”

    Despite that, the Super Eagles forward came back strongly after the injury and got back in the goals for his club.

    Boniface’s performances have made him one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe, with a lot of clubs keen on securing his services this summer. Napoli, West Ham, Newcastle United and Roma are some of the teams reportedly keen to secure his services this summer.

    However, Boniface has put paid to all the speculation, insisting he is not leaving the BayArena this season.

    “My current focus is solely on Leverkusen, striving to aid the team in achieving further milestones. It will undoubtedly stand as one of my proudest moments ever,” Boniface affirmed to AFP. Boniface has enjoyed a successful debut season with the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions.

  • I didn’t lead Leverkusen, we led ourselves – Victor Boniface

    I didn’t lead Leverkusen, we led ourselves – Victor Boniface

    Following an overwhelming 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Sunday, April 14, Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga trophy for the first time in the club’s 120-year history, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year rule.

    With five games remaining, Xabi Alonso’s team knew that victory would guarantee the championship.

    They put on a commanding display worthy of winners, stretching their incredible unbeaten streak to 43 games in all competitions.

    Leverkusen youngster, Florian Wirtz’s hat trick and goals from Victor Boniface and Granit Xhaka sealed the victory, but Boniface, whose goalscoring prowess has been pivotal to Leverkusen’s title charge, was quick to reject emphasis on his individual ability.

    Read Also: Victor Boniface: I’m a classic striker

    The Nigerian striker wrote on his official X page, “I no lead anybody ooo. We lead ourselves.”

    Despite missing four months of action due to injury, Boniface opened the score in the 25th minute from the penalty spot and subsequently assisted Xhaka’s goal, taking his total goal contributions to 11 goals and 9 assists in 18 games.

    Alonso said: “This is a very special moment for the club. Winning the Bundesliga for the first time in 120 years is something very special. The players are top. I am very proud of everyone.”

  • Victor Boniface: I’m a classic striker

    Victor Boniface: I’m a classic striker

    Looking at the enormous accolades and accomplishments, Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has enjoyed in less than three months of pitching tent with the Werkself, you cannot but be amazed.

    Within this time the Nigeria international has made a lasting impression with numerous goals and assists plus awards as Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month in August, and the striker is indeed, exciting about the development.

    Speaking recently with Bayer 04 TV, the striker said: “It’s been very exciting so far. The two awards (Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month in August)are a special honour that make me proud. I really feel at home in Leverkusen and in this team. I had contact with a couple of players, for example Jerry (Jeremie Frimpong) before I arrived. I knew how good this team is, how good they can be and how brilliantly I can fit in with them.”

    His instant success, he ascribed to the ability to study the team and its players even before joining them. 

    “That I was able to settle in within a short time and that we understand each other on the pitch week after week. I just try to make it easier for my teammates by adjusting to them. Before I joined the team I knew how they played. I watched videos of my teammates and analysed their style of play. At Leverkusen for example it included Flo (Florian Wirtz). It’s very interesting for me how my teammates play and what sort of teammate they need to be successful. I am adjusting to that and trying to fit in quickly.

    The 21-year-old added: “That is why it often looks like we played together for a long time. And I have settled into the new team and immediately made your contribution to success.”

    Giving an insight into his role on the pitch, he said he’s the kind of striker that loves to create assists and as well score goals.

    “There are lots of classic strikers. They wait for their moment in the penalty area. But then it can happen that they don’t touch the ball for ten minutes. I don’t like that. I want to play differently, create chances and not just finish them. I like dropping back to take part in the build-up and I like pulling opposition defenders towards me and thereby creating space for my teammates. A bit of this style is in my nature. I used to play in midfield and increasingly took part in build-up play. I often watch videos of tricky and intelligent players to develop my game in that way to be able to the help the team even more.”

    Boniface returned to Norway for their first away game in the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 early October against Norwegian champions Molde.

    For the Bayer 04 striker this marks a return to the start of his professional football career. The Nigeria international played for FK Bodø/Glimt, which is far to the north of Molde, from 2019 to 2022.

    He recollected his time in Norway, while sharing a special memory from his first match in Molde.

    “Molde are one of the top teams in the Norwegian league and they compete for the title year after year. Molde were the reigning champions when I joined Bodø/Glim in 2019, and in the next two years where we won the league, Molde were the main competitors as runners-up. We definitely can’t afford to underestimate them also because they are at home. The artificial pitch there could be to their advantage. For us there will be rather unusual playing conditions. It can get really cold over there and we are coming from a hot summer in Germany. We have to be ready for everything and well prepared.”

    “I will always have a special memory of Molde and the stadium; I scored my first goal as a professional football player. It was a really big match back then: Molde against Bodø/Glimt, first against second. Unfortunately, we lost in the end but for me it was a very special day because of my goal. I’m happy to look back at my time in Norway.”

    Read Also: Victor Boniface: I enjoy working with Xabi Alonso

    Though, Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso did not start Boniface in the match, they were still able to beat Molde 2-1.

    With wholesale changes made to the Leverkusen line-up after their win over Mainz, it took only 14 minutes to get off the mark tonight. First-team regular Jeremie Frimpong profited from an aggressive counter-press to slot home. Ten minutes later Nathan Tella made it 2-0. Hlozek fed the Englishman who fired low to open his account in Leverkusen colours.

    Tella and Adli combined nicely just before the interval – A long ball broken by Hlozek prompted the break and Tella found the Moroccan, but his effort fizzed wide under pressure from Molde’s goalkeeper.

    The Bayer cavalry arrived with 20 minutes to play as Hofmann and Grimaldo joined the action. Molde substitute Kitolano made the greater impact however, albeit unlucky to see his shot cannon off the post. The hosts finally hit the net late on through Breivik. His header looped over Kovar to leave Leverkusen nerves jangling, but it would prove scant consolation in the end.

    “I was nice to win in Norway and also good to see some of my friends in Norway again,” Boniface added.

  • Victor Boniface: I enjoy working with Xabi Alonso

    Victor Boniface: I enjoy working with Xabi Alonso

    Victor Boniface joined Bayer Leverkusen just over a month ago, but it hasn’t taken him long to adapt to life in a new country and a new club. In fact, such has been the quality of his performances; you would be forgiven for thinking he has been at the BayArena for years.

    Die Werkself have hit the ground running this campaign, winning each of their first four competitive fixtures and netting 19 goals in total prior to taking on defending champions Bayern Munich on Matchday 4, earning a draw in the encounter.

    Boniface has found the back of the net on six  occasions in five Bundesliga games-and eight from seven in all competitions, also notching two assists, and has caused defences all sorts of problems with his exciting blend of pace, power, technique and eye for goal.

    All of this led to a first Nigeria cap on 10 September 2023 and both the August Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month awards just days later. He became only the second player ever – and first since Erling Haaland in January 2020 – to do so, capping a stunning start to life in Leverkusen.

    “It has been good”, the 22-year-old humbly told bundesliga.com prior to clinching that personal double. “Leverkusen is a top team. Every young player dreams about playing in the top leagues, and the Bundesliga is a top league. Leverkusen is one of the best, so it is good.”

    The centre-forward was full of praise for the role the club’s coaching staff have had in helping the new signings fit in so quickly.

    XABI ALONSO

    “I think you have to give credit to the coaches. Bringing new players to the team is not easy, and adapting is not easy, but I think they made the right choice in bringing the type of players that suit the way they want to play.”

    Read Also: Victor Boniface: Leverkusen’s new Nigerian striker lights up Bundesliga

    Leverkusen’s resurgence has been led by head coach Xabi Alonso, who replaced Gerardo Seoane last October. After a difficult start to the 2022/23 campaign – the team were second bottom in the Bundesliga upon the Spaniard’s appointment – they recovered to clinch sixth spot and also reached the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.

    While Boniface has not had long to get used to that former Bayern Munich star’s methods, he had nothing but positive things to say about his new boss.

    “Xabi is – apart from being a coach – a nice person to work with. I enjoy working with him,” said Boniface. “Even before I came to sign, we didn’t speak, but he spoke good about me after the first game. It is good for me”.

    For Boniface, the journey to the Bundesliga has not been a simple one. In his early teens, he moved away from his family home to pursue his football dream, joining an academy in his homeland.

    “It was not easy”, he explained. “At the same time, it was not just me, it was different people from different cities in Nigeria, 30 to 40 young players.”

    FOCUSED

    Despite the competition, Boniface stood out, and soon earned a move to local side Real Sapphire. After continuing to impress, Europe and Bodo/Glimt beckoned and, although the weather conditions came as a shock – “it was during January or February, and Norway is very cold then” – he was always confident he could made his mark in Scandinavia.

    “I never doubted myself in Norwegian football,” said the striker. “I was always 100 percent focused because this is what I wanted to do. I always wanted to play football so I never doubted that in my life.”

    That belief was well-founded, as Boniface scored 23 goals in 66 games, winning the league title twice before moving on to Royal Union Saint Gilloise in 2022/23.

    The Belgians reached the Europa League quarter-finals in the striker’s solitary campaign, defeating Union Berlin twice along the way, and Boniface’s performance in the second of those two victories – he netted a brace as Saint Gilloise prevailed 3-0 in the second leg of their Round of 16 encounter – was one of many displays that attracted the attention of Leverkusen Sporting Director Simon Rolfes and Co.

    HARRY KANE

    Harry Kane’s switch to Bayern has stolen the headlines this summer, but three-time FIFA World Cup finalist LotharMatthäus was so impressed by Boniface’s initial showings for Leverkusen that he suggested Kane could have a strong challenger for the Bundesliga’sTorjägerkanone – and Boniface has one more goal than his English rival prior to their head-to-head challenge on week four.

    The six foot three inch powerhouse, though, is not willing to put a number on the amount of goals he is looking to score this term, saying: “I don’t think about that. I just want to have a good season and try to help the team.”

  • Victor Boniface: Leverkusen’s new Nigerian striker lights up Bundesliga

    Victor Boniface: Leverkusen’s new Nigerian striker lights up Bundesliga

    Victor Boniface has made a flying start to his Bayer Leverkusen career with three goals and one assist in as many competitive games to claim both the Rookie and Player of the Month awards for August 2023 – but what else is there to know about the Nigerian striker?

    After cutting his teeth in the game at Real Sapphire in his homeland, Boniface made his breakthrough in the European game at Norwegian top-flight side Bodo/Glimt, where he posted 23 goals and eight assists in 66 games between 2019 and 2022.

    That earned him a move to Belgian first division outfit Union Saint-Gilloise in summer 2022 – and the goals continued to flow. The 6’2” forward hit a hat-trick on his debut for the club in a UEFA Champions League qualifying game against Klaksvik, a haul that formed part of his 22 strikes and 12 assists in 55 competitive appearances for Union.

    Boniface proved his elite-level credentials in the Europa League in particular, providing two goals and two assists in four meetings with Union Berlin in the group stage and round of 16, while also hitting the target against Leverkusen in the quarter-finals.

    Since moving to Bayer over the summer, he has been a revelation; scoring a debut goal in the DFB Cup and registering a debut assist in the Bundesliga before hitting braces in each of his next two German top-flight outings. That resulted in a first Nigeria cap in the 6-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe on 10 September 2023 before Boniface became only the second ever player – and first since Erling Haaland in January 2020 – to win both the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month awards in the same month when he collected both gongs for August 2023.

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    Comparing a Bundesliga newcomer to one of the league’s absolute all-time greats, Robert   Lewandoski ,  might sound a tad premature, but hear us out. Boniface is an all-round centre forward, good with both feet, physically powerful, good in the air and with a surprisingly good dribbling ability. His clever movement and ability to lose his marker are also traits he shares with the Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich legend.

    Boniface finished as joint-top scorer alongside Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign with six goals in 10 games. He was also named in the competition’s official Team of the Season – alongside new team-mate Jonathan Tah.

    “Victor’s a real problem for opposition defences. He’s powerful, quick and makes runs from deep. He has a good mentality and works for the team, not for himself,”  noted  Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso.

    Quipped Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes: “He’s been on our radar for some time. His performance against us absolutely confirmed our positive assessment. Victor is a very commanding and difficult to handle centre forward who will be a challenge for every defender with his physicality. He’s also quick and has good technique.”

  • AFCON Qualifier: Boniface keen to replicate club form with Super Eagles

    AFCON Qualifier: Boniface keen to replicate club form with Super Eagles

    Victor Boniface has revealed his desire to replicate his club form with the Super Eagles.

    Boniface will look to make his debut for the Super Eagles against Sao Tome and Principe in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Uyo.

    Boniface recently earned his invitation to the Super Eagles after his impressive displays for Union St Gilloise and Bayer Leverkusen.

    He said: “It’s good to be here with the national team, I have enjoyed my stay with the boys so far,” Boniface told the media in Uyo.

    “I hope I will be able to score regularly for the Super Eagles as I have done for my club.”

    Read Also: Bundesliga Player of the Month: Boniface, Kane, others battle for award

    Sunday’s final group qualifier is a dead rubber as the Super Eagles have already qualified for the 2023 AFCON, while Sao Tome will finish bottom of the group even if they win the game.

    The Super Eagles are top of Group A with 12 points from five matches. They have scored 16 goals and let in only one, while Sao Tome have a point, conceded 17 goals, and scored three goals.

    The 22-year-old was joint top scorer in the UEFA Europa League last season.

    The striker transferred to Bundesliga club, Bayer Leverkusen this summer and has been in excellent form for Die Werkself.

    Boniface has scored four goals and provided one assist in four appearances for Xabi Alonso’s side.

  • Victor Boniface – It’s been my dream  to play for Leverkusen

    Victor Boniface – It’s been my dream  to play for Leverkusen

    Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has not wasted time in announcing his arrival at the German Bundesliga. He notched an impressive Bundesliga double as Bayer Leverkusen made the division sit up and take note once more with a 3-0 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach.

    Up and running with a 3-2 win against title hopefuls RB Leipzig penultimate weekend, Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen 2.0 continued to gel with confidence at Borussia-Park.

    Granit Xhaka. who, previously made 140 appearances for Gladbach prior to moving to England, impressed on his return to face the Foals. On 18 minutes, he floated a pristine pass to the far post where fellow new Bayer signing Alejandro Grimaldo nodded to recent-arrival Boniface to head in his maiden Bundesliga goal.

    The 22-year-old scored again in the 58th minute after notching on to a Florian Wirtz through-pass to fire home the third goal. 

    He said he never imagined I would be playing for Bayern Leverkusen so soon after playing against them in April.

    “This is what I have been working for all my life. It is my dream to play for a great club like Leverkusen and I’m very happy to be here.

    “It was really good. I remember my agent calling me that how would I like to come to Leverkusen and I said that is really good and I started following the club. I spoke to some of the players too who told me more about the club and that really made me want to come. I’m really happy to be here to be honest. I started wearing the club’s jersey even before I joined them. I swapped it with a player when I played against them back in April. It is a good jersey and I love wearing it. 

    “The team’s trainings are very intensive and I love it. Compared to Belgium, it is more intensive.

    “I can play as a striker and at the back of the striker. It is up to the coach to decide where he wants to put me. My job is to try my possible best to help the team in any given way. So, I’m here for the team.”

    Boniface has also been getting excellent review from soccer buffs.

    Leverkusen head coach Alonso said the striker is a good addition to the team.

    He said: “Victor’s a real problem for opposition defences. He’s powerful, quick and makes runs from deep. He has a good mentality and works for the team, not for himself.”

    According to Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes, the tall striker has a commanding presence.   

    “He’s been on our radar for some time. His performance against us absolutely confirmed our positive assessment. Victor is a very commanding and difficult to handle centre forward who will be a challenge for every defender with his physicality. He’s also quick and has good technique.” 

    Boniface’s former Union SG coach KarelGeraerts said:“He’s been playing at a very high level for months and has taken huge steps forward.”

    LIKE LEWANDOWSKI 

    Boniface has also been compared to one of the league’s absolute all-time greats Lewandowski.  “Boniface is an all-round centre forward, good with both feet, physically powerful, good in the air and with a surprisingly good dribbling ability. His clever movement and ability to lose his marker are also traits he shares with the Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich legend.”

    BACKGROUND

    After cutting his teeth in the game at Real Sapphire in his homeland, Boniface made his breakthrough in the European game at Norwegian top-flight side Bodo/Glimt, where he posted 23 goals and eight assists in 66 games between 2019 and 2022.

    That earned him a move to Belgian first division outfit Union Saint-Gilloise in summer 2022 – and the goals continued to flow. The 6’2” forward hit a hat-trick on his debut for the club in a UEFA Champions League qualifying game against Klaksvik, a haul that formed part of his 22 strikes and 12 assists in 55 competitive appearances for Union.

    Boniface proved his elite-level credentials in the Europa League in particular, providing two goals and two assists in four meetings with Union Berlin in the group stage and round of 16, while also hitting the target against Leverkusen in the quarter-finals. After moving to Bayer over the summer, he scored a debut goal in the DFB Cup, registered a debut assist in the Bundesliga and hit a brace on his second German top-flight outing.

    Boniface finished as joint-top scorer alongside Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign with six goals in 10 games. He was also named in the competition’s official Team of the Season.