Nigeria and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface is back from injury and makes his club’s matchday squad as they prepare to take on Dusseldorf in the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal on Wednesday night.
🇳🇬 Comeback loading 🔋@boniface_jrn #B04F95 | #Bayer04 #Werkself pic.twitter.com/KRSBa1dVHR
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) April 2, 2024
Victor Boniface sustained an adductor injury while in camp for Nigeria in January, as the Super Eagles prepared for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The 23-year-old missed the competition as a result of the setback and has been completely out of action for club and country in the last three months.
Victor Boniface comeback: A news broken by his manager Xabi Alonso
Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso, while speaking in a presser ahead of Wednesday’s game said that Victor Boniface is back in the team’s matchday squad after his three months groin injury.
Speaking on Boniface’s chances of a comeback, Alonso said the striker “Has made a good recovery and has trained well.”
Photo by Icon Sport
The Spaniard, however, added that the Super Eagles striker will not play the full 90 minutes against Dusseldorf on Wednesday.
“We are in a super situation. We have no injuries and a full squad. Boni (Boniface) is also back in the squad,” said Alonso.
“Not 90 minutes. 45, maybe not. But maybe 30. He has done a good recovery and has trained well. He has a strong mentality to come back. He can’t wait to get back.”
The Nigeria international is Bayer Leverkusen’s top goal scorer this season, he’s netted 16 goals and provided eight assists for his teammates across all competitions before his injury in January.
Victor Boniface was also awarded the ‘Bundesliga Rookie of the Month‘ in five straight months, from September to January.
Speaking about the upcoming DFB Pokal clash, Alonso said:
“We are expecting a good opponent tomorrow. They are in really good form. It’s a semi final for both teams and a huge chance to play in the final. We will give our all to end up at the final in Berlin.”
“It would be great to get to a final. The Pokal in Berlin is special. You can feel the excitement from the fans. They have the joy of coming to the stadium and they want to go to Berlin.”
When asked about his team being the favourites for the game, Alonso had this to say:
“Yes, we are the only Bundesliga team so that is easy to be classed as favorites. That doesn’t mean anything though. We want to deserve our chance to play in the final.”
