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He was the highest goal scorer for Bayer Leverkusen last season. As Victor Bonafice prepares for a long season with the club, here’s a look at the humble beginnings of the Nigerian footballer.
Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
New Delhi: After a season where Bayer Leverkusen were unbeaten last season to pick their first Bundesliga title last season. This season, they have started the UEFA Champions League with back-to-back wins. Their latest UCL victory came at the back of a brilliant goal from Victor Bonafice’s boot in the 51st minute.
He was the top scorer for the team last season in the Bundesliga, scoring 14 times, helping Xavi Alonso’s side end a 31-year trophyless wait. Staying unbeaten for 51 games, Atalanta broke their streak in the UEFA Europa League final. Leverkusen surprised themselves with their performance.
In Bonafice’s own words, the team started believing in achieving new heights for the club way into the season. After such an incredible and consistent performance, the club was happy to end the season with two trophies. The Nigerian footballer came from the Belgian team Union SG and has made a good name for himself.
Boniface wins it for Leverkusen 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/OdyemtS3Oz
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 1, 2024
He is technically sound, and his speed and power make him a regular on Xavi’s squad. Having played against Leverkusen during his career in Belgium, he was able to integrate well into a squad that he feels is quite close. This is a long cry from the 23-year-old’s days in the Nigerian club Real Sapphire and speaks volumes about his talent.
Bonafice’s humble beginnings
Like many players from Africa, Bonafice’s career started in the streets and at local tournaments. A difficult childhood, with the loss of his mother, almost derailed his dream of playing football. During the Bundesliga triumph, Boniface himself reminisced about the time he had to borrow shoes to play in a local tournament. His story is indeed one of resilience and the will to succeed.
A fantastic season in African club-level football meant European scouts started taking notice of the talent. He was soon on his way to the Norwegian football club Bodo Glimt. Now, a brilliant season in German football later, Boniface is a contender for the African Footballer of Year award. However, the striker feels that there are many more players from the continent who deserve the title before him.
What next?
This year, Leverkusen have lost a game in the Bundesliga, which does mean that they won’t have a second season of being invincible in the tournament. This season, they not only have to defend their Bundesliga title but also participate in an expanded format of the UCL. Boniface himself has voiced the concern that many players have already spoken about.
Victor Boniface of Bayer 04 Leverkusen in action during the UEFA Champions League (Photo by Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Of course, the excitement of playing football has gone a little wane with a long and tiring season for Wane. He missed the previous season for three months after sustaining a groin injury and knows the importance of rest. Though his side failed to make it a treble, Boniface expressed his contentment, knowing that Ademola Lookman, his Nigerian teammate, scored a hat-trick in the final and secured the trophy for Atlanta.
Apart from defending the title for Leverkusen, he also has crucial role to play in Nigeria’s attempt at qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Bonafice confessed that it is his dream to represent his country at that level who were runners up in the last tournament. With so many tournaments piled up this season in an expanded format, it will be interesting to see how a talented player like Boniface performs.
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