The former Super Eagles midfielder Dimeji Lawal has urged Nigerians to be patient with rising star Victor Boniface as he adapts himself to international football.
The 25-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward has been in stunning form in the current season at the club level under a Xabi Alonso-led tactical formation but has only scored one goal in 11 appearances for the Super Eagles.
Comparisons to Nwankwo Kanu
Lawal compared Boniface to Nigerian legend Nwankwo Kanu, who has often failed to score in the premier AFCON event but who remarkably has a distinguished club career.
In an interview with Complete Sports, Lawal argued that Boniface’s inclusion in the national team makes sense, drawing a comparison to coaches who rely on Kanu to perform, even though the player did not score a goal in the AFCON.
He was optimistic that Boniface will bounce back to his best for the Nigerian team.
Boniface, now with a thigh injury that has sidelined him until the end of this year.
Nonetheless, there is confidence that this 23-year-old will get back to the tracks and go on to be an important player for Nigeria.
“I don’t think anyone should blame Boniface for his inability to translate his goal-scoring form for Bayer Leverkusen to the Super Eagles,” Lawal remarked. “We have seen this often with players who shine in Europe but struggle in African football.”
“Remember that Kanu Nwankwo played in all the Nations Cups before he retired, but he never scored a single goal. Will anyone tell me if any coach inviting Kanu is stupid?”
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Club Success vs. National Challenges
In Bayer Leverkusen, Boniface has struck gold, having won all domestic trophies under Alonso and emerging as one of the club’s standout players.
But he has not quite made the transition to the new demands of African football, and Lawal feels this is a process and cannot be rushed.
What we all enjoy is watching Boniface score goals in one of the best leagues in the world.”To me it would be wrong not to invite him to the senior national team,” Lawal said, adding that ignoring the forward would attract public anger.
