Victor Boniface: A Hope for Success with the Super Eagles

Victor Boniface faces criticism for his performance with the "Super Eagles", but his achievements at "Bayer Leverkusen" highlight his talent. What's the key to his potential?

Victor Boniface's challenges with the "Super Eagles" have drawn significant criticism. Despite showing glimpses of his undeniable talent, the 23-year-old has managed just one goal in 11 appearances for his country.

Although Boniface has displayed outstanding skills, his overall contributions to the national team have fallen short of expectations, prompting questions about his role and future in the lineup. However, according to "Bayer Leverkusen" teammate Granit Xhaka, there are compelling reasons to remain optimistic about the forward's potential to excel in the green and white jersey.

The Swiss international highlighted two primary factors affecting Boniface's delayed start. Key reasons include a lack of time for adaptation and instability within the coaching leadership. Boniface made his "Super Eagles" debut in September 2023 during a dominant 6-0 victory over São Tomé and Príncipe in Uyo. In just over a year, he has played under three different head coaches, underscoring Nigeria's coaching volatility.

Portuguese manager José Peseiro, who first brought Boniface into the fold, left his position in February 2024 after steering Nigeria to a second-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations. Interim coach Finidi George took charge but resigned in June following poor results. However, Austin Eguavoen's recent appointment has restored some stability, securing AFCON 2025 qualification, yet constant tactical adjustments have posed challenges for players like Boniface searching for consistency.

Xhaka, speaking after "Bayer Leverkusen's" commanding 5-0 victory against "RB Salzburg", acknowledged how such upheaval could impact a player. "It's always difficult because you don't have a lot of time to adapt, enough time to work through the tactical setup every day with the same coach and players. But everyone wants to play for their country," Xhaka told OmaSports TV.

While Boniface's international record leaves room for improvement, his performances for the club conspicuously demonstrate his high level. Since joining "Bayer Leverkusen", the 23-year-old has become an integral part of Xabi Alonso's title-winning squad. In the 2023/24 season, Boniface helped the team to achieve a historic Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double, netting 14 goals in 23 league games. This season, he's already scored six goals in 10 Bundesliga matches, showcasing strong proficiency.

Boniface's overall play adds to his value, as he is a tireless runner capable of linking play and creating opportunities for his teammates. His performances at the club level confirm Xhaka's belief that patience and stability are crucial for his development with the "Super Eagles". "For sure, he'll be important for Nigeria in the future. Stay calm — he's a great guy and a great footballer. He'll make the people happy," Xhaka affirmed.