Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen’s star striker, Victor Boniface, is on the brink of making a long-awaited return after a two-month injury absence, and it could not come at a better time for the Bundesliga title contenders.
The 24-year-old Nigerian international has been sidelined since November due to a thigh muscle issue, but manager Xabi Alonso confirmed on Monday that Boniface could be back in action as soon as next week.
“Boniface could return next week. He still needs plenty of time to train,” Alonso told reporters ahead of their upcoming Bundesliga clash with Mainz.
Before his injury, Boniface had been in scintillating form, scoring eight goals in 15 appearances across all competitions. His return will provide a much-needed boost for Leverkusen, who are currently second in the Bundesliga, just four points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
However, the striker’s recovery hasn’t been without setbacks. Boniface had to delay his comeback after suffering a minor issue in his rehabilitation process, ruling him out of Leverkusen’s first game of the year against Borussia Dortmund.
Now, with the striker nearing full fitness, competition for the forward spots at Leverkusen is heating up. In Boniface’s absence, Patrik Schick has stepped up and impressed.
“What we want is that everyone is fighting for a position to get better and help the team,” Alonso said.
“We’ll have so many games, all the players will have their moments. But the most important is that in the same way that Patrik Schick is in good form, we want to have Boniface in good form as well.”
Victor Boniface joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 following a standout season with Belgian side Royale Union SG, where he scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists.
His performances were instrumental in Leverkusen’s triumphs in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and German Super Cup in 2024.
The striker will now aim to make his comeback during a jam-packed period for Leverkusen, with five matches in just 15 days, including a crucial Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid on January 21.
