Victor Boniface has disclosed that his compatriot Victor Osimhen predicted Bayer Leverkusen’s title success before the 2023/24 season started.
Boniface became a league champion for the third time in his professional career after helping Leverkusen to win the Bundesliga following Sunday’s 5-0 thumping of Werder Bremen.
The Nigerian forward scored and provided an assist on what was his first start since returning from a three-month injury layoff as Die Werkself annexed their first-ever league title.
Although Boniface was ruled out midway through the season, he has still contributed immensely to Leverkusen’s title charge, having scored 11 goals and provided nine assists in 18 Bundesliga matches.
While celebrating his first title success in Germany, Boniface recalled a moment with Osimhen, revealing that the Napoli striker predicted that Leverkusen would be crowned champions.
Boniface says Osimhen prophesied Bundesliga success
Boniface said he had a conversation with Osimhen after Napoli won the Serie A last season, with the 25-year-old prophesying that it would be his [Boniface’s] turn soon.
It will be recalled that Osimhen helped Napoli to be crowned champions for the first time in 33 years when they romped to the title last season. The former Lille and Wolfsburg forward scored 26 goals as the Partenopei won the league and also became the first African player to top the scoring charts in the Italian top-flight.
Osimhen’s exploits earned him cult status among Napoli fans and Boniface has now revealed that his compatriot told him his [Boniface’s] own crowning moment was nigh even before the current season kicked off. The Leverkusen forward also assured that he and his teammates aren’t done yet and will fight to complete the treble by winning the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Europa League in addition to the Bundesliga title.
“Shout out to [Victor] Osimhen because I remember when they [Napoli] won the league. He told me next year will be your turn and it’s happening now. Senior man, respect,” Boniface told Nigerian outlet Soccernet.
“Of course, we have two [more] important trophies we are aiming at. We are in the DFB-Pokal Cup final, and we are also in the [UEFA] Europa League quarter-finals. So it doesn’t stop here. So we have to push hard. We know we won the league, it’s a big achievement for us. But we also have two things [trophies] we are aiming at. So if we can have the perfect three, of course we will celebrate more.”
Osimhen, other Super Eagles stars congratulate Boniface for winning Bundesliga title
Meanwhile, Osimhen led the praises for Boniface after his Bundesliga title success with Leverkusen by posting “Congratulations again Boni” on his Instagram stories. Other Nigerian footballers also joined in to congratulate the 23-year-old on the photo-sharing social media platform.
Having shared a photo of himself celebrating his goal against Werder Bremen which helped Leverkusen to seal the title, along with the caption “Na God run am,” many Super Eagles players took to the comments section to congratulate Boniface.
Nigeria and Fulham centre-back Calvin Bassey commended the striker, while Southampton midfielder Jose Aribo also revelled in the moment. Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi and FC Nantes winger Moses Simon also shared congratulatory messages to Boniface, with OGC Nice forward Terem Moffi and Kasimpasa defender Kenneth Omeruo also not left out.
Some players from rival teams also congratulated Boniface on his achievement with Leverkusen, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Timothy Fosu-Mensah saluting the Nigerian. Boniface’s first season in Germany has so far been a huge success following his move from Union SG last July.
The 23-year-old could now win the treble with Xabi Alonso’s side, who are in the final of the DFB Pokal and also have one foot in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League after beating West Ham United 2-0 in the quarter-final first leg.
