Bayer Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso has shared insights on how Francis Onyeka’s career could experience a significant shift in his by playing alongside Super Eagles star Victor Boniface.
The young German-Nigerian talent made his much-anticipated debut during their DFB-Pokal match on Tuesday evening.
Onyeka, who has represented Germany at the U-18 level, stepped onto the pitch for the first time in a Bayer Leverkusen kit during the team's convincing 3-0 victory against Elversberg.
Nathan Tella provided one of the goals that powered the team to the next stage of the competition.
Entering the game with only three minutes remaining, the youngster managed to show his potential just a decade after joining the club.
His debut came on the heels of receiving the prestigious Fritz Walter Medal, a well-recognised award at the German youth level.
In his brief time on the field, the 17-year-old displayed several promising moves that left spectators wanting more.
The importance of Francis Onyeka playing with Boniface
During the post-match press conference, Alonso emphasised the invaluable experience Onyeka gains by training and playing with seasoned professionals like Boniface, Florian Wirtz, and Alejandro Grimaldo.
He described Francis as a'very dynamic' player, adding that his debut would remain a memorable one in his journey.
“Francis deserves these chances. He will certainly remember this debut in the future. We saw that he has made great progress in the U-19s. Playing with Flo, Boniface, and Grimaldo is important for him,” Xabi, who was quoted by Bild, said.
Thus far, Onyeka has made twelve appearances for Bayer Leverkusen’s youth teams this season, scoring five goals and providing one assist.
As it stands, he'll be looking to continue to learn from top players; his potential for transformation at Bayer Leverkusen seems boundless.
