Nigerians were very eager to see Victor Osimhen shine in the green and white.
The 23-year-old had the chance during the Super Eagles’ first two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The first-choice striker, Victor Osimhen, was dealing with club issues. Napoli had brought in Romelu Lukaku and frozen him out.
Eventually, Osimhen was only able to arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, after sealing a season-long loan move to Galatasaray well after the regular European window had closed. He was not only jetlagged, he was out of form, having not played since last season.
So, interim coach Austin Eguavoen, did the sensible thing by starting Boniface against Benin Republic in Uyo.
But he struggled to impose himself on proceedings and was eventually replaced by Osimhen in the second half.
It didn’t help that Osimhen volleyed home Nigeria’s second goal six minutes after coming on.
Eguaveon kept faith with Boniface for the match in Kigali. But this time around, he was hauled off at half time for Osimhen.
It left a lot of fans disappointed and some of them even labelled him “a flop”.
But Ope Adebari, a sports analyst, reporter and producer with News Central, disagrees.
“I won’t say he flopped,” Adebari tells DAILY POST.
“He put in a good shift. The lack of goals was the major problem. And that is because he was isolated in front of goal, due to the system adopted by Eguavoen which he used at the AFCON tournament earlier this year.”
Days after flying back from international duty, Boniface scored twice for Bayer Leverkusen, as they hammered Hoffenheim 4-1.
The two goals were clinical in their execution. They were also very similar. Boniface ran at the defender, dropped a shoulder and fired confidently past the goalkeeper.
So, what was the difference?
“The difference is the execution of the 3-4-3 formation,” Adebari explains.
“The Super Eagles operate with out-and-out wingers, while Bayer Leverkusen operate with two number 10’s who compliment Boniface.
“Boniface is a striker that thrives on link-up play. His major weakness comes in hold-up play which he had to do while playing for Nigeria,” he added.
Although Boniface might get another chance, it is very likely Osimhen would be up to speed and ready to start.
But Adebari believes both forwards could actually play together for Nigeria.
Adebari adds: “I believe a front three of Boniface, Lookman and Osimhen has to be the way forward.
“It is important for the coaches of the Super Eagles to find a way to combine our best players.
“However, this front three combination can only work when Wilfred Ndidi is paired with either Frank Onyeka or Raphael Onyedika and not Alex Iwobi.
“The 3-4-3 system requires one holding midfielder and one box to box midfielder. Both midfielders need to be technically gifted as well and the names I mentioned above can do a good job to help the front three of Boniface, Osimhen and Lookman click for the Super Eagles.”
Victor Boniface: Bayer Leverkusen superstar, struggling Super Eagles forward
