Former Super Eagles midfielder Sylvanus Okpala has expressed confidence in Victor Boniface’s potential to succeed with the Nigerian national team, despite the striker’s challenging start in international football.
Boniface, 23, made his debut for Nigeria in September 2023 following an impressive start with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
However, his performances with the Super Eagles have not lived up to expectations, as the forward has scored just once in 11 appearances.
The lack of goals has drawn criticism from fans, especially after underwhelming showings in Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.
Okpala Calls for Patience
Okpala has defended Boniface, urging fans to be patient and allow the striker time to adapt. Speaking to Brila, the former C.D. Nacional player emphasized the need for confidence and composure.
“Osimhen comes in and scores. When Osimhen isn’t there, Boniface doesn’t score. He needs to be talked to, given a lot of confidence, and reminded that as a center forward, his primary role is to score. If he can’t score, then he should start providing assists,” Okpala said.
He also advised Boniface to avoid putting too much pressure on himself:
“He shouldn’t be too anxious to score in every game. Yes, scoring is crucial, but he needs to stay calm. When you count one, you can get to two. Once he starts scoring, the confidence will return. It’s normal. Bayer Leverkusen is different from the national team.”
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Current Injury Woes
Boniface is currently sidelined with a thigh injury sustained during international duty.
This setback has delayed his return to form, both for club and country, but Okpala remains optimistic that the forward will overcome his struggles and become a valuable asset for Nigeria.
