Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, has returned to his club with an injury after completing international duties for Nigeria.
The 23-year-old forward featured in Nigeria’s recent international matches during the FIFA break, playing in the loss to Rwanda and the draw against the Republic of Benin.
However, his participation came at a cost, as reports from Buli News indicated that he sustained a thigh injury during the period.
Boniface, who won the 2023/2024 Bundesliga Rookie of the Year Award, is said to have missed training with Leverkusen on Thursday upon his return to Germany.
Early assessments suggest the injury could sideline him for an extended period, potentially ranging from a few weeks to as long as three months.
Leverkusen has yet to release an official statement regarding Boniface’s condition, leaving fans eagerly awaiting head coach Xabi Alonso’s pre-game press conference, where updates are expected.
The timing is crucial, as the Bundesliga leaders prepare for their home clash against FC Heidenheim.
If Boniface is unavailable, the responsibility of leading the line may fall to Czech striker Patrik Schick. The Nigerian forward has been pivotal for Leverkusen this season, contributing six goals and one assist in ten league appearances.
This is not the first time Boniface has faced injury challenges. Earlier in 2024, he suffered an adductor strain in his right thigh, forcing him to miss Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 campaign and a significant part of Leverkusen’s crucial run-in.
Despite this setback, he made a timely recovery to help Xabi Alonso’s team secure an unbeaten Bundesliga title.
While Leverkusen is optimistic that this is not a recurrence of his previous injury, the club is closely monitoring the situation.
The potential loss of Boniface at this stage could impact their momentum as they continue their push for domestic and European glory.
