Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface marked his return to goal-scoring form yesterday, after a brief injury lay-off and the collapse of his transfer to Saudi Arabia, by helping Bayer Leverkusen secure a 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim.
The 24-year-old had been sidelined from training last week as he looked to join Al-Nassr and play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, the move fell through on Wednesday, and Boniface was handed a surprise start by coach Xabi Alonso.
The striker, who hadn’t played for Leverkusen since suffering a thigh injury on international duty with Nigeria in November, made an immediate impact, opening the scoring in the 15th minute.
Collecting a ball from Alex Grimaldo to the right of goal, Boniface blasted a powerful left-foot shot through the hands of visiting goalkeeper Luca Philipp.
Just four minutes later, Jeremie Frimpong doubled Leverkusen’s lead. The Dutchman flew down the right flank, took one touch and superbly found the far corner.
Leverkusen looked set to stretch their lead in the 24th minute when Nathan Tella was felled in the box, but the decision was overturned by VAR.
The referee explained the decision over stadium speakers, a Bundesliga first, as part of a test programme introduced this weekend.
Boniface made way for Patrik Schick at half-time and the Czech striker scored six minutes later but Leverkusen were made to sweat when they lost Grimaldo to a second yellow card and conceded a goal to Gift Orban inside two minutes.
Praising his side’s “total control”, Alonso said the successful return would do Boniface good and admitted his side has “some good competition in the striker position”.
“It was important for Boni to feel like a part of the team again. It was important to play at home and feel the love from the fans.”
Schick made it 3-0 in the 51st minute also has some kind words for Boniface.
“Victor was injured for a long time and hit the target again straight away,” Schick said of the Nigerian striker. “I know myself how difficult that is. It’s also very important for him that he scored again straight away.”
