Victor Boniface Shattered Dream

GLOBAL SOCCER

With 17-goal contribution (10 goals and seven assists) for Bayer Leverkusen and having been named the Bundesliga rookie of the month for a record four times and in good stead for a fifth consecutive time, Victor Boniface is without doubt Nigeria’s best performer in Europe this season. Just as he was hoping to replicate his club’s stellar performance at the international stage, injury struck. The 23-year-old got injured during Super Eagles preparation camp for the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off today in  Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Just as soccer loving Nigerians were still trying to recover from Wilfred Ndidi’s absence from the Africa Cup of Nations through injury, the Super Eagles suffered another injury blow after Bayer  Leverkusen sensation, Victor Boniface was ruled out of the biennial competition due to injury he suffered in Nigeria’s training camp in Abu Dhabi and has since been replaced by Nice striker, Terem Moffi.

The 23-year-old has been in good form for his German club Bayer Leverkusen with 10 goals and seven assists so far in the Bundesliga this season, and is in the running to be named the Bundesliga rookie of the month for a fifth consecutive time.

He shared his disappointment with his followers on X, having also previously missed the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations through injury.

It is not the first time Boniface would miss a major tournament on the eve of the event. The 23-year-old was forced to withdraw from the 2019 CAF U20 Nations Cup in Niger seven days before the competition kicked off.

Taking to social media on Monday, Boniface lamented his misfortune while confirming he would not be available for the Super Eagles.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), the striker said: “U20 nations cup got injured 7 days before Nations Cup. Super Eagles got injured 6 days before Nations Cup. Only God knows why.”

Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi however responded to Boniface’s post with a cheerful message urging him to look forward to many more engagements with the Super Eagles in the future.

Awoniyi himself is not in the Nigerian squad for the AFCON due to a groin injury that required surgery.

Still, the Nottingham Forest man was enthusiastic when he wrote to Boniface: “My guy mafo……. We gallant for that green white green. We go again…..no one fit kill light. Imole ma tan last last.”

Interestingly, Nigerian legend, John Obi Mikel has labeled Boniface a complete striker and has backed the Bayer Leverkusen star to shine at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations just before he was injured.

Boniface has had a remarkable start to life in Germany after transferring from Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer, registering 24 goal involvements in all competitions.

The 23-year-old did not arrive at Bayer Leverkusen as an unknown quantity as he was the UEFA Europa League top scorer for 2022-2023 and was also named to the Team of the Season.

Mikel highlighted the qualities of Boniface as he praised the Super Eagles number 24 ahead of Nigeria’s opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations against Equatorial Guinea.

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel stated: “He’s a complete striker when you watch him play. He scores goals, he’s good on the ball, technically very good, holds up the ball and also quick as well which is something you need from a striker. So he’s doing really well.

“All I have to say is that the sky will be your limit if you continue playing like this and keep working hard. I’m pretty sure you’ll do well in the Nations Cup and bring the trophy back home.”

The 6’3” attacker, who joined the Bundesliga giants last summer, left for Europe in 2019 from Nigerian youth club, Real Sapphire, but suffered two ACL injuries before the age of 21.

According to Eurosport, Boniface, who will miss the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria through another injury setback, disclosed he had given up on football after his second ACL injury.

“When I saw the doctor, he told me something bad happened and I tore my ACL again. It was hell. I spoke to the coach; I said I wanted to go back to Nigeria.

“I was thinking, ‘what shall I do after football?’ At the age of 21, and 22, I had two ACL injuries. It was so terrible for me. They said I had to do surgery, but may not need it for a few months. It was 14 months in total. I almost gave up.”

Boniface would eventually bounce back from his injury setbacks, excelling with Bodo/Glimt and Union Saint-Gilloise before sealing a big move to Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel has clamoured for Premier League giants to sign the four-time Bundesliga Rookie of the Month.

The Nigerian legend is rooting for his 22-year-old compatriot to become one of the best forwards in the game and would love to see him sign for the Blues when he finally leaves Leverkusen.

Meanwhile, Leverkusen has confirmed  Boniface had undergone successful  “Victor #Boniface was successfully operated on today in Berlin,” reads a statement on the club’s X handle.

“The striker will return to Leverkusen later this week to start his rehabilitation process.”

The 23-year-old is expected to be sidelined till April. His absence will be a major setback for the Super Eagles after an outstanding run for the Bundesliga table-toppers, Bayer Leverkusen.

Nigeria begin their quest for a fourth AFCON title in a Group A game against Equatorial Guinea tomorrow and will also face hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.

Boniface now joins a growing list of Nigeria players who have been forced to miss AFCON 2023 through injury, including Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and Real  Sociedad strikerSadiq Umar.