Football
Exclusive: Victor Ikpeba Confident Boniface Will Replicate Club Success with Nigerian National Team
Former Nigerian footballer Victor Ikpeba expresses confidence in Victor Boniface's potential to replicate his Bayer Leverkusen success with the national team, despite a slow start. He urges patience, comparing Boniface's journey to Victor Osimhen's rise.
Image Credits: Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images
Former Nigeria and Borussia Dortmund Victor Ikpeba says he is not surprised with the level that Victor Boniface has reached at Bayer Leverkusen, describing him as a quality player.
Eyebrows were raised when Bayer Leverkusen splashed out €20million on Boniface last summer given the attacker had not played in any of Europe top five leagues.
But he silenced his doubters contributing 31 goal involvements in 39 games (21 goals and 10 assists) as the Xavi Alonso’s side end a 31-year trophyless wait. Staying unbeaten for 51 games before losing to Atalanta in the Europa final.
Boniface has carried this momentum into the current season, registering three goals and one assist in his first five league matches.
He also scored in the German Super Cup win and decisive goal in Bayer Leverkusen’s UEFA Champions League victory over AC Milan at the BayArena on Tuesday.
"Boniface has performed well, but I'm not surprised with his current level. He's a very good and talented boy. We saw his qualities at Bodo Glimt and St Guilios." He told SportsBoom.com in an exclusive interview.
He’s special player, he’s a simple and humble guy.
Victor Ikpeba
"He’s one of Nigeria’s brightest talents in Europe, and he's in good hands under Xabi Alonso at his club.”
However, Boniface has struggled to replicate this success on the international stage. In eight appearances for the Nigerian national team, he has yet to score and has only one assist, leading to growing criticism from fans.
During the September international break, Boniface started both of Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda but failed to find the back of the net in either match.
"Sometimes, players need time to adapt to the national team," Ikpeba explained.
"International football is different from club football, both in style and rhythm. At the club level, you spend months training and playing with the same teammates, which helps your performance."
"Victor is still relatively new to the national team and is adjusting to playing with unfamiliar teammates. I believe the goals will come. He came very close to scoring against Rwanda, so he just needs to focus on his game, especially with the competition for his position."
The former AS Monaco's striker also called for patience from the national team’s supporters.
"Nigerian fans need to be patient; the goals will come. Even Victor Osimhen took time to settle and start scoring consistently for the national team."
Asked whether he agreed that Boniface can dislodge Nigeria’s first-choice striker Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles, Ikpeba says, "I believe Boniface will get his chance to shine.”
"Odion Ighalo was the main striker before, and Osimhen didn’t get much game time initially, but now he’s the key player. Boniface’s opportunity will come, and when it does, he’ll deliver." Ikpeba concluded.
Seyi Alao is a Nigerian sports reporter, writer, and producer, known for delivering engaging sports content in both English and Pidgin. At Brila FM, I transitioned seamlessly into the role of Content Creator, demonstrating a deep understanding of media dynamics and effectively crafting captivating and informative narratives.