Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface is reportedly enduring a difficult spell at Bayer Leverkusen after slipping to third choice in the team’s attacking hierarchy.
New manager Erik ten Hag has placed the Nigerian forward behind Czech international Patrik Schick and summer arrival Christian Michel Kofane, sparking fresh concerns about Boniface’s future with the Bundesliga champions.
Boniface arrived at Leverkusen from Royale Union SG two years ago and made an immediate impact, registering 32 goals and 13 assists in just 61 appearances. He initially thrived in Schick’s absence due to a long-term injury and, under former coach Xabi Alonso, cemented his role as first-choice striker.
Alonso’s trust was further rewarded when Boniface scooped four Bundesliga Rookie of the Month awards. However, recurring injuries last season sidelined him for extended periods, costing him his place in the starting lineup.
With Ten Hag’s arrival this summer, competition has intensified. Despite his proven record, Boniface has seen limited involvement in pre-season and was left out of the squad during Leverkusen’s DFB Pokal victory over Grossaspach.
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When Schick was substituted in that match, many expected Boniface to be introduced. Instead, Ten Hag handed an opportunity to Kofane, who justified the decision by scoring and assisting in a 4-0 win. According to German outlet Bild, the coach was impressed with the Cameroonian’s performance and has now placed him above Boniface in the pecking order.
Ten Hag, however, downplayed suggestions that Boniface had fallen out of favour, attributing his reduced minutes to ongoing fitness concerns rather than poor form. He maintained that the Nigerian international still has a chance to reclaim his position once fully fit.
Nonetheless, if regular game time continues to elude him, the 24-year-old forward may have no choice but to consider a move away from the BayArena in search of consistent opportunities.
