Victor Boniface Archives

Leverkusen: Boniface stay amid Saudi bid

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said Wednesday that Nigerian striker Victor Boniface is set to stay at the club following reports of a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia. Boniface had been left out of the squad in Leverkusen’s preparations for their 2-0 win over Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Alonso had said Tuesday it was due to talks with an unnamed club. German media had reported the negotiations were with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo plays, and involved a fee of €70 million euros ($73 million). “He will train again tomorrow. I believe he is staying with us,” Alonso said when asked about Boniface after the win over Sparta. “So I have to say that I am satisfied, I am happy.” Alonso said Boniface could play Sunday against TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga and added: “He is comfortable here, so I don’t believe that this is a big stress for him.” The apparent collapse of a possible Boniface transfer could remove one obstacle for a move to Saudi Arabia for Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán. He has also been linked with Al Nassr and was an unused substitute in Villa’s 4-2 win over Celtic on Wednesday. Boniface hasn’t played since November because of injury, but had been on the bench for Leverkusen’s last two games before Wednesday.

Al-Nassr reaches agreement to sign Victor Boniface

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Al-Nassr have reached an agreement worth around €60m to sign Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface, according to Sky Germany. The Nigerian becomes the club’s second most expensive departure in their history after Kai Havertz’ move to Chelsea for €80m in 2020. Boniface has already passed a medical with the Saudi club and will earn a reported €15m per season. Although an official confirmation from the club’s is still pending, this transfer should be made official before Friday’s deadline. It’s brings an to Boniface’s time in Germany after joining Die Werkself from Union Saint-Gilloise for €21.7m in July 2022. In his 18 months at the club, Boniface has scored 29 goals and created 11 in 49 games across all competitions, but has also missed a substantial amount through injury. Although not a like-for-like replacement, Bayer 04 are working on a deal to sign Aston Villa’s Emil Buendia on loan for the remainder of the season with a reported purchase option, while Brighton’s Evan Ferguson is also an option for the Bundesliga champions.

Boniface in talks to leave Leverkusen -Alonso

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Tuesday striker Victor Boniface is in talks to leave the club in the current transfer window. Sky Germany have reported Boniface, 24, is set for a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, for a transfer fee in excess of 50 million euros ($52 million). Boniface arrived in Leverkusen from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise 18 months ago for 20 million euros. He has scored 29 goals and laid on 11 assists in 49 matches for the club, but has not played since picking up a hamstring injury on international duty in November. The Nigeria striker missed training ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Sparta Prague. “There are discussions with the club and we need to wait. We’re preparing without Boni,” Alonso told reporters Tuesday. “We will see. We need to wait a bit more but our preparation is with the rest of our squad who are ready and fit and in good shape at the moment. “It’s the last Champions League game and that’s our focus.” Alonso revealed Leverkusen were “getting close” to signing more players during the winter window and added: “I’m very satisfied with the squad and with our quality… and will be (at the end of the window).” In Boniface’s absence Patrik Schick has returned to form for Leverkusen with 13 goals in his past nine league games. Schick said Tuesday a possible Boniface departure “doesn’t change very much… I’ve always been focused on myself and I’m not looking at anyone else. “I’ll keep going like I have and whether Victor is here or not.” The 29-year-old Schick came through the youth system at Sparta Prague and said with a smile he was looking forward to some extra attention from the visiting fans. “It will be fun — I expect them to insult me from the stands.”

Al-Nassr opens Victor Boniface talks

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Al-Nassr representatives are in Germany to discuss a potential deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, according to Fabrizio Romano. The delegation will undergo talks with both the club and the player as they try to negotiate a deal to bring the forward to the Saudi Pro League. It’s been heavily reported that the Nigerian international is top of Al-Nassr’s transfer list alongside Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran. As previously reported by GGFN, Leverkusen are open to selling Boniface leave this month for a fee of around €50m. The Nigerian is currently on the way back from a thigh injury that he picked up during the November international break. Boniface was in great form before his injury however since then, he has lost his place to Patrik Schick who is looking back to his best. Boniface was one of the Bundesliga’s leading goal scorers last season but has since been plagued with several injuries.

Boniface suffers thigh injury

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Bayer Leverkusen and Nigeria striker Victor Boniface is set to miss “a few games” after returning from international duty with a leg injury, coach Xabi Alonso said Friday. “He’s got a small injury in his thigh muscle, it’s a shame,” Alonso told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Heidenheim. Nigerian media reported Boniface could miss the remainder of 2024 but Alonso was optimistic the striker would be back soon. “He won’t be there tomorrow or against Salzburg (Champions League). “We hope he will play again this year. We have to wait and see, but it’s not going to be six or eight weeks.” Forward Patrik Schick, who has started just twice in the league this season, is expected to step up in the Nigerian’s absence. “He is always ready — we don’t just need him now, but always.” The defending champions, who did not lose a game in Germany last year on the way to an unbeaten league and cup double, have stuttered this season. Leverkusen are currently in fourth, nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. Alonso’s men have dropped 13 points so far this season, one more than the 12 they leaked in the entirety of the last campaign. Boniface is Leverkusen’s highest scorer in the league, with six goals and an assist in 10 games.

AFCONQ: Eguavoen names Boniface, Iheanacho, benches Osimhen for Rwanda clash

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago01 mins

Interim head coach Austin Eguavoen has named Victor Boniface and Kelechi Iheanacho to lead the Super Eagles attack against the Amavubis of Rwanda in today’s AFCON 2025 deadrubber qualifying clash. In the absence of Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye will be in goal while Bright Osayi-Samuel, Gabriel Osho, William Troost Ekong are in the heart of defence. Bruno Onyemachi, Frank Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Moses Simon are saddled with midfield role. The substitutes are; Amas Obasogie, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen, Sadiq Umar, Jamilu Collins and Samuel Chukwueze. The tie is slated to kick off at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium at 5pm Nigeria time.

UCL: Boniface misses Brest showdown

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Bayer Leverkusen centre-forward Victor Boniface has been ruled out of Champions League clash against Ligue 1 team Stade Brestois 29. The Nigeria international was involved in a car accident this weekend. Speaking to the media at Guingamp’s Stade du Roudourou – where Brest are playing their Champions League home games – Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso provided some updates on Boniface. “We learned about his road accident on Sunday morning”, Xabi Alonso said in his press conference transcribed by L’Equipe. “Fortunately, it wasn’t too serious. He has small cuts on his foot and hand. In a way, he was very lucky. But he hasn’t trained normally since and we’re going to give him a few days to recover from this emotional shock.” The Spaniard understands that Boniface’s absence will be a matter of days and not weeks. Asked about Brest, who have on their two UCL games so far, against Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg, Xabi Alonso expects a very demanding and intense game against Eric Roy’s Pirates. “Brest have a very precise idea of their game, it is a very competitive team. They have a lot of desire, but we are ready for that and we will play our football.”

Boniface survives car crash in Germany

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago01 mins

Super Eagles’ striker Victor Boniface has reportedly survived a ghastly car crash in Germany. The Bayer Leverkusen of Germany player posted a video of the damaged car on his Instagram Stories on Sunday. The unfortunate incident occurred after the striker, who has been in scintillating form since joining the German club in the summer of 2023, scored the winning goal for his team as the Bundesliga champions secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at the BayArena on Saturday. The video showed one of Boniface’s hands dripping blood after the crash. In the video, the black car sustained significant damage to the right side, with the body severely affected.