Nigeria international striker Victor Boniface returned from injury to help Bayer Leverkusen secure the German Bundesliga title with five games to spare for the first time in history, consigning to the dustbins of history their “Neverkusen” nickname after previous glorious failures.
Boniface has come a long way from the army barracks in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria where he grew up. German TV channel DW went to Nigeria to track Boniface’s path to the top of German football in just his first season.
His youth team coach Johnson Blessing explained that Boniface was highly talented and stood out from the other kids under his wing. The striker said his determination to succeed made him work hard. After about three-four years of academy football with Real Sapphire in Lagos, in which he also represented Nigeria at youth levels, it was time for Europe and pro football trials.
He started out with Bodo Glimt in Norway but was restricted by injuries to 48 appearances and 13 goals in three years. He then moved to Union SG in Belgium and after impressing in the Europa League against Leverkusen, they signed him for 20m euros.
Injury ruled him out for almost half this season, including missing out on Nigeria’s run to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the year. But he still had a more than respectable return of 11 goals in 18 games. Youth coach Blessing warned that Boniface is still just at “the starting point” and there is more to come from him. With the support of fellow Nigeria international Yemi Tella and the highly-rated coach Xabi Alonso providing the guidance, the best is yet to come from the confident young man from Akure.
