Victor Boniface: Rising Star at Bayer Leverkusen
Victor Boniface: Bayer Leverkusen’s Rising Nigerian Striker
Victor Boniface, the 22-year-old Nigerian striker, has taken the Bundesliga by storm with his remarkable performances, winning both the Rookie and Player of the Month awards for August 2023. But who is this rising star, and how did he make his way to Bayer Leverkusen?
Impressive Stats and Background
Born on December 23, 2000, Boniface currently plies his trade with Bayer Leverkusen as a striker. Hailing from Nigeria, he has earned one cap for his national team.
Boniface’s journey to the Bundesliga began at Real Sapphire in Nigeria, where he honed his skills. However, his big break in European football came with Norwegian top-flight side Bodo/Glimt, where he notched an impressive 23 goals and contributed eight assists in 66 games from 2019 to 2022.
His stellar performances in Norway earned him a move to Belgian first division club Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer of 2022. Boniface’s goal-scoring prowess continued to shine as he marked his debut for Union with a stunning hat-trick in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Klaksvik. During his time with Union, he accumulated an impressive tally of 22 goals and 12 assists in 55 competitive appearances.
Europa League Success and Move to Bayer Leverkusen
Boniface showcased his abilities on the European stage, particularly in the Europa League. He contributed two goals and two assists in four encounters with Union Berlin in the group stage and round of 16. Additionally, he found the back of the net against Leverkusen in the quarter-finals, further highlighting his potential.
His remarkable journey continued when he joined Bayer Leverkusen over the summer. Boniface made an instant impact, scoring on his debut in the DFB Cup and registering an assist in the Bundesliga. He followed this up with back-to-back braces in the German top flight, earning him widespread recognition.
His impressive performances caught the attention of the Nigerian national team, and he earned his first cap in a convincing 6-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe on September 10, 2023. This achievement made him only the second player, after Erling Haaland in January 2020, to win both the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month awards in the same month, accomplishing this feat for August 2023.
Playing Style Resembling Robert Lewandowski
Comparing a newcomer like Boniface to legendary Bundesliga players might seem premature, but there are striking similarities between his playing style and that of Robert Lewandowski. Boniface is an all-round center forward, proficient with both feet, physically robust, excellent in the air, and surprisingly skilled in dribbling. His intelligent movement and ability to elude defenders are traits reminiscent of the Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich icon.
In summary, Victor Boniface is emerging as a rising star in the Bundesliga, and his journey from Nigeria to Leverkusen showcases his immense potential. With performances likened to a great like Lewandowski, he is undoubtedly a player to watch in the coming seasons.
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By- Sahiba Suri