Victor Boniface has thrown his hat into the ring for the CAF Player of the Year award, boldly rating himself ahead of fellow contender Ademola Lookman, who was integral to Atalanta's impressive season.
Boniface's compatriot, Lookman, has been highly tipped to dethrone Osimhen and win the coveted crown after a remarkable season in which he helped the Super Eagles reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), culminating in a historic, match-winning performance for his club, Atalanta, in the Europa League final.
Reflecting on his performances from last season, Boniface expressed belief in his chances of claiming the coveted title.
Boniface confident in his claim for Africa’s top football honour
Boniface, in an interview with Sporty TV, expressed his belief that his contributions place him ahead of other contenders.
“Probably between me and Lookman. I will go for myself as the African Footballer of the Year, I rate myself that high,” he declared, adding, “If it's just what we did last season, I'll pick myself.”
The Bayer Leverkusen forward had an impressive season last term, scoring 21 goals in all competitions. A generous tally of ten assists highlights just how productive Boniface was for his club.
In the league, he was, on average, directly involved in a goal every game, guiding his club to victory in both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal. En route to that achievement, Leverkusen did not lose a single game.
All that is even more remarkable given that he missed the bulk of 2024's first three months with an adductor injury. That fitness issue accounts for the only blot on the 23-year-old's season: his AFCON no-show.
However, Boniface was unable to clinch victory in the UEFA Europa League final, as Lookman's outstanding hat-trick propelled Atalanta to triumph.
