Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface found the net as Bayer Leverkusen secured a 3-1 victory over Bochum at the BayArena on Friday night.
Having been limited to substitute appearances in recent games, the 24-year-old was handed a rare start by Xabi Alonso, partnering Patrik Schick in attack. Determined to justify his selection, Boniface set out to prove his worth and stake a claim for a regular place in the starting XI.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Aleix Garcia, but the visitors quickly responded six minutes later with an equaliser from Felix Passlack. Boniface restored Leverkusen’s lead in the 60th minute before substitute Amine Adli sealed the victory with an 87th-minute strike, securing a crucial home win for the reigning German champions.
Before finding the net against Bochum, the Nigeria international last scored for Die Werkself in their 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim on February 2.
Boniface’s impact: A mixed but decisive performance
Boniface delivered a performance that combined attacking intent with moments of struggle in Bayer Leverkusen’s hard-fought victory.
The Nigerian forward registered two shots on target, one of which resulted in the match-winning goal, while also seeing one effort blocked. He attempted four dribbles, successfully completing one, and was heavily involved in play with 52 touches. His passing accuracy stood at 75%, completing 21 of his 28 attempted passes.
Physically, Boniface was engaged in multiple duels, winning three of his 10 ground battles and three of five aerial contests.
However, his aggressive playstyle also led to him losing possession 21 times. Despite some inefficiencies, his ability to convert a crucial chance underlined his importance to Alonso’s side, proving his worth on his return to the starting lineup.
In the current campaign, Boniface has recorded 10 goals and one assist in 22 appearances across all competitions this season.
