Victor Boniface
{{Short description|Nigerian footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Victor Boniface
| image = Boniface (cropped).jpg
| caption = Boniface celebrating with Bodø/Glimt in 2021
| full_name = Victor Okoh Boniface
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|12|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Bayer Leverkusen
| clubnumber = 22
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2018
| youthclubs1 = Real Sapphire
| years1 = 2018–2019
| clubs1 = Real Sapphire
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2018
| clubs2 = → Lefke TSK (loan)
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| years3 = 2019–2022
| clubs3 = Bodø/Glimt
| caps3 = 48
| goals3 = 13
| years4 = 2022–2023
| clubs4 = Union SG
| caps4 = 37
| goals4 = 9
| years5 = 2023–
| clubs5 = Bayer Leverkusen
| caps5 = 41
| goals5 = 22
| nationalyears1 = 2023–
| nationalteam1 = Nigeria
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 12 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 25 March 2025 (UTC)
}}
Victor Okoh Boniface (born 23 December 2000) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and the Nigeria national team.
Club career
=Real Sapphire=
In January 2018, Boniface went on loan to KTFF Süper Lig club Lefke TSK. After continuing his career here for a short time, he returned to Real Sapphire in July 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.transfermarkt.com.tr/turk-takimlarinin-burnunun-dibinden-avrupa-zirvesine-uzanan-bir-hayat-hikayesi/view/news/436543|title=Türk takımlarının burnunun dibinden Avrupa zirvesine uzanan bir hayat hikayesi|language=tr|date=24 April 2024}}
=Bodø/Glimt=
Boniface signed for Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt on 4 March 2019.{{cite web |url=https://bodonu.no/victor-boniface-har-signert-for-glimt/04.03-02:02 |title=Victor Boniface signes for Glimt |date=4 March 2019 |publisher=Bodø Nu |access-date=5 March 2019}} He suffered a ligament injury only two weeks after signing for Glimt, which was said to be likely to keep him on the sidelines for the duration of the 2019 season.{{cite web |last=Nygaard |first=Jacob Sundblom |date=23 March 2019 |title=Victor Boniface suffers injury |url=https://www.eurosport.no/fotball/eliteserien/2019/glimt-spiss-rok-korsbandet-brutalt_sto7198993/story.shtml |access-date=8 April 2019 |publisher=Eurosport.no}} Boniface was selected to the Nigeria U-20 squad to play the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, but had to withdraw from the squad due to injury.{{cite web |date=25 January 2019 |title=Paul Aigbogun Makes Late Change To Flying Eagles Squad For U20 AFCON – Victor Boniface Out, Pascal Durugbor In |url=https://owngoalnigeria.com/2019/01/25/paul-aigbogun-makes-late-change-to-flying-eagles-squad-for-u20-afcon-victor-boniface-out-pascal-durugbor-in/ |access-date=16 June 2019 |publisher=Own Goal Nigeria}} In September 2019 he nonetheless made his league debut for the club.{{NFF|3737985}}
=Union SG=
On 8 August 2022, Boniface signed a four-year contract with Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.{{cite web|publisher=Union SG|url=https://rusg.brussels/en/articles-en/welcome-victor-boniface|title=Welcome Victor Boniface|date=8 August 2022|access-date=18 August 2022|archive-date=17 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317101131/https://rusg.brussels/en/articles-en/welcome-victor-boniface|url-status=dead}} Union reached the quarter-finals of the 2022–23 Europa League. Boniface scored six goals in the competition, including a brace against Union Berlin in the round of 16, finishing as the competition's joint top scorer along with Marcus Rashford.{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/victor-boniface-who-is-bayer-leverkusen-s-new-nigerian-striker-24103 |title=Victor Boniface: Who is Bayer Leverkusen's new Nigerian striker? |publisher=Bundesliga |date=26 August 2023 }}
=Bayer Leverkusen=
On 22 July 2023, Boniface signed for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen on a contract until 2028, and was assigned the number 22 shirt.{{cite news |url=https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/bayer04/bayer-04-sign-victor-boniface |title=Bayer 04 sign Victor Boniface |publisher=Bayer 04 Leverkusen |date=22 July 2023 }} He made his Bundesliga debut as a starter on 19 August, in a 3–2 home victory over RB Leipzig.{{cite web |url=https://www.zdf.de/sport/bundesliga/bayer-leverkusen-rb-leipzig-highlights-zusammenfassung-saison-2023-24-100.html |title=Leverkusen trumpft auf und schlägt Leipzig |publisher=ZDF |language=de |date=21 August 2023 }} The following week, on 26 August, he scored his first Bundesliga goals by netting a brace at the Borussia Park in a 3–0 away derby win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.{{cite news |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/de/bundesliga/news/borussia-monchengladbach-bayer-04-leverkusen-2-spieltag-spielbericht-24541 |title=3:0! Bayer Leverkusen mit Gala bei Borussia Mönchengladbach |publisher=Bundesliga |language=de |date=26 August 2023 }}
In early April 2024, Boniface recovered from an adductor injury sustained in January that year.{{cite web |url=https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/nigeria-s-victor-boniface-makes-triumphant-return-for-leverkusen-after-injury-lay-off |title=Nigeria's Victor Boniface makes triumphant return for Leverkusen after injury lay-off |publisher=SABC Sport |date=4 April 2024 }} On 11 April, he netted his first goal following his return in a 2–0 win against West Ham United in the 1st leg of the Europa League quarter-final.{{Cite news |title=Moyes gives West Ham 'half a chance' in Leverkusen tie |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68785244 |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Four days later, he scored the opener from the penalty spot and provided an assist in a 5–0 win against Werder Bremen, helping his club to secure the Bundesliga title for the first time with five games to spare.{{Cite news |title='Incredible feeling' - Alonso toasts Leverkusen title |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68812732 |access-date=2024-04-15 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} He eventually managed to finish his first season at the club as their top scorer in the league with 14 goals, winning the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.{{cite web |url=https://www.completesports.com/boniface-bags-14th-league-goal-as-leverkusen-beat-augsburg-to-end-bundesliga-season-unbeaten/ |title=Boniface Bags 14th League Goal As Leverkusen Beat Augsburg To End Bundesliga Season Unbeaten |publisher=Complete Sports |date=18 May 2024 }}
On 1 October 2024, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal, securing a 1–0 victory over AC Milan.{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayer-leverkusen-ac-milan-live-champions-league-blog-preview-report-leao-morata-29089 |title=Victor Boniface strike pushes Bayer Leverkusen past AC Milan in UEFA Champions League |publisher=Bundesliga |date=2 October 2024 }}
International career
Boniface made his debut for the Nigeria senior team on 10 September 2023, coming on in the 64th minute for Taiwo Awoniyi. He provided an assist in that match to Samuel Chukwueze.{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=Pulse |date=2024-10-28 |title='I only met him once' — Victor Boniface reflects on his relationship with his father |url=https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/i-only-met-him-once-victor-boniface-reflects-on-his-relationship-with-his-father-2024102806004026815 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=Pulse Sports Nigeria |language=en}}
On 29 December 2023, he was named in the Nigerian squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenff.com/peseiro-names-25-players-as-super-eagles-seek-fourth-afcon-title-in-cote-divoire/|title=Peseiro names 25 players as Super Eagles seek fourth AFCON title in Cote d'Ivoire|publisher=Nigeria Football Federation|first=Ayodele|last=Olu Ibidapo|date=29 December 2023|access-date=30 December 2023|archive-date=30 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230173003/https://www.thenff.com/peseiro-names-25-players-as-super-eagles-seek-fourth-afcon-title-in-cote-divoire/|url-status=dead}} However, on 8 January 2024, Boniface sustained a muscle injury which forced him to miss the African tournament,{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/nigerias-injured-boniface-set-miss-african-cup-nations-2024-01-08/ |title=Nigeria's injured Boniface set to miss African Cup of Nations |publisher=Reuters |date=8 January 2024 }} and he was replaced by Terem Moffi.{{cite web|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/coupe-d-afrique-des-nations/can-2024-terem-moffi-finalement-appele-avec-le-nigeria-pour-remplacer-victor-boniface-cc5f17b2-aecf-11ee-aa61-307337b06e99|title=CAN 2024. Terem Moffi finalement appelé avec le Nigeria pour remplacer Victor Boniface |publisher=Ouest-France |language=fr |date=9 January 2024 }}
Style of play
Boniface is known for his distinctive style of play. His playing characteristics include strengths in dribbling, finishing, and headed attempts, while his weaknesses lie in offside awareness, holding onto the ball, and defensive contribution.{{Cite web |title=Tactics Corner: Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface setting the Bundesliga alight |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayer-leverkusen-florian-wirtz-victor-boniface-tactics-bundesliga-25858 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website |language=en}}
He is described as a player who likes to dribble, likes to do layoffs, and likes to play long balls. These attributes contribute to his effectiveness as a forward on the field.{{Cite web |title=Victor Boniface: Nigeria's Next Top Striker? |url=https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/victor-boniface-nigerias-next-top-striker/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Breaking The Lines |date=16 August 2023 |language=en-GB}}
His background, including learning to play football in a military barracks in Nigeria, adds an interesting dimension to his journey as a footballer.
Overall, Victor Boniface's style of play is characterised by his technical abilities, goal-scoring prowess, and unique playing preferences, making him a player to watch in the world of football.{{Cite web |last=Stafford-Bloor |first=Sebastian |title=50 to watch - Victor Boniface: A rare talent who has already overcome a career's worth of misfortune |url=https://theathletic.com/4755731/2023/08/09/victor-boniface-50-to-watch/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=The Athletic |date=9 August 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Omachonu |first=Kelvin |date=2023-05-03 |title="I learned to play football in the military barracks"- Hot Nigerian striker Victor Boniface |url=https://soccernet.ng/2023/05/i-learned-to-play-football-in-the-military-barracks-hot-nigerian-striker-victor-boniface.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Soccernet.ng |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Tripathi |first=Saumy Deepak |date=2023-10-14 |title=Victor Boniface: Bundesliga Newest Star Is A Future Star |url=https://www.foottheball.com/players-in-focus/victor-boniface-scout-report-analysis-position-bayer-leverkusen-transfer-target-wolfsburg/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=FootTheBall |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Boniface is a Christian.{{cite web |date=25 December 2023 |title=Victor Boniface: Bayer Leverkusen star visits his childhood friend in church on Christmas eve |url=https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/victor-boniface-bayer-leverkusen-star-visits-his-childhood-friend-in-church-on-christmas-eve-2023122514562059984 |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=Pulse Sports}} Boniface enjoys making funny goal celebrations to entertain people when he scores.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Our |date=2024-05-05 |title=VICTOR BONIFACE: I like making people laugh |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/victor-boniface-i-like-making-people-laugh/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-15 |title='It's a TikTok trend' - Victor Boniface explains his bizarre goal celebration during Bayer Leverkusen win {{!}} Goal.com Nigeria |url=https://www.goal.com/en-ng/lists/victor-boniface-explains-bizarre-goal-celebration-during-bayer-leverkusen-win/bltfb5733dcd933a07b#cs0beb6888e0713394 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-NG}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 12 April 2025}}{{Soccerway|victor-okoh-boniface/598917}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Norwegian Cup, Belgian Cup, DFB-Pokal}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="5"|Bodø/Glimt
|2019 |rowspan="4"|Eliteserien |8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 1 | |||
| 2020
|24 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 8 | ||
| 2021
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2022
|15 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 10{{efn|Four appearances and five goals in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 5 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 14 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!48 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | 66 | 23 | ||
| Union SG
|37 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 10{{efn|name=UEL}} | 6 | colspan="2"|— | 51 | 17 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Bayer Leverkusen
|rowspan="2"|Bundesliga |23 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 8{{efn|name=UEL}} | 5 | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 21 | ||
| 2024–25
|18 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 1 | 1{{efn|Appearance in DFL-Supercup}} | 1 | 26 | 11 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!41 | 22 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 60 | 32 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!126 | 44 | 15 | 8 | 35 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 177 | 72 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 25 March 2025}}{{NFT player|92174|access-date=1 November 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="3"|Nigeria
|2023 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total | 12 | 0 |
|---|
Honours
Bodø/Glimt
Bayer Leverkusen
- Bundesliga: 2023–24{{cite news |date=15 April 2024 |title=Bayer Leverkusen are 2023/24 Bundesliga champions! |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayer-leverkusen-are-2023-24-bundesliga-champions-26930 |access-date=15 April 2024 |website=Bundesliga}}
- DFB-Pokal: 2023–24
- DFL-Supercup: 2024{{cite news |date=17 August 2024 |title=Bayer Leverkusen battle back to beat VfB Stuttgart on penalties in Supercup |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayer-leverkusen-vfb-stuttgart-supercup-preview-live-blog-report-alonso-28479 |access-date=17 August 2024 |website=Bundesliga}}
Individual
- UEFA Europa League top scorer: 2022–23{{cite news |date=31 May 2023 |title=2022/23 Europa League top scorers: Boniface, Rashford at the summit |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0279-16108059cf3b-a3d932b16cb8-1000--2022-23-europa-league-top-scorers-boniface-rashford-at-the-s/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}
- UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2022–23{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0282-182d1295f910-056c87a02b5e-1000--europa-league-all-star-xi/|title=2022/23 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=4 June 2023 |access-date=4 June 2023}}
- Bundesliga Rookie of the Month: August 2023, September 2023, October 2023, November 2023{{cite news|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/vote-rookie-of-the-month-award-2023-24-best-young-player-sorare-24683|website=Bundesliga|title=Victor Boniface named November's Rookie of the Month!|date=8 December 2023|access-date=8 December 2023}}
- Bundesliga Player of the Month: August 2023{{cite news |date=14 September 2023 |title=Victor Boniface wins Bundesliga Player of the Month for August! |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/player-of-the-month-2023-24-ea-sports-fifa-bayern-dortmund-leipzig-24703 |access-date=14 September 2023 |website=Bundesliga}}
- Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2023–24{{cite news|title= Bundesliga Team of the Season 2023/24 by EA FC 24!|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/vote-now-for-the-bundesliga-team-of-the-season-2023-24-with-ea-fc-24-26961|date=3 May 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|website=Bundesliga}}
- Bundesliga Rookie of the Season: 2023–24{{cite news |date=15 May 2024 |title=Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface named Rookie of the Season! |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/vote-2023-24-rookie-of-the-season-sorare-boniface-xavi-maatsen-beier-27355 |access-date=15 May 2024 |website=Bundesliga}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.glimt.no/lag/victor-okoh-boniface Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202046/https://www.glimt.no/lag/victor-okoh-boniface |date=24 June 2021 }} at glimt.no
{{Bayer 04 Leverkusen squad}}
{{UEFA Europa League top scorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boniface, Victor}}
Category:Nigerian men's footballers
Category:Nigeria men's international footballers
Category:Nigeria men's under-20 international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Real Sapphire F.C. players
Category:FK Bodø/Glimt players
Category:Royale Union Saint-Gilloise players
Category:Bayer 04 Leverkusen players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Northern Cyprus
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Norway
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Northern Cyprus
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Norway
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany