Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface may be facing tough times at Bayer Leverkusen after fresh reports from Germany suggest coach Erik Ten Hag no longer sees him as a first option in attack.
The Nigerian striker has been an important figure since joining the German side two years ago from Belgian club Union Saint Gilloise.
With 32 goals and 13 assists in 61 appearances, Boniface has shown he can deliver at the highest level. But his future role at the club now looks uncertain.
When he first arrived, Czech striker Patrik Schick was injured which opened the door for Boniface to lead the line.
His strong displays kept him ahead of Schick even after the latter returned. But injuries soon caught up with Boniface. He missed key games and eventually lost his starting shirt.
Injuries Slow Down His Progress
Last season Boniface worked his way back into the team but recurring fitness problems disrupted his momentum.
That has continued into this campaign under new boss Ten Hag who took over earlier this summer.
In Leverkusen’s recent German Cup clash against Grossaspach, Boniface was left on the bench. When Ten Hag decided to take off Schick, many expected Boniface to come on.
Instead the coach turned to new signing Christian Michel Kofane.
The Cameroonian striker grabbed the chance, scoring and assisting in a 4-0 win. His impressive outing has now moved him ahead of Boniface in the selection order.
According to German outlet Bild, Boniface is currently seen as the third choice striker behind Schick and Kofane.
The report partly stated;
“Victor Boniface (24) still has to be patient, he currently only has the reserve role in Leverkusen.”
Fight For Place Or Consider Exit
Ten Hag had earlier sent a strong warning to the Nigerian striker, making it clear that he is not ready to start for the team.
“Boni is making progress, but he is not yet where he should be,” Ten Hag said in his pre-match press conference.
He added that once the Nigerian returns to sharpness he may still compete for a starting place.
However, with the Africa Cup of Nations coming up in December, a lack of regular game time could harm Boniface’s international chances. The 24 year old needs consistent minutes to secure his spot with Nigeria.
If he cannot break back into the Leverkusen first team, questions will grow over whether a move away would serve him better.
Boniface has shown he has the talent to thrive in Europe but at this stage of his career, sitting on the bench could stall his progress.
For now, the Super Eagles star must prove his fitness and wait for another chance. But the rise of Kofane and the faith in Schick means the competition has never been tougher.
