Boniface’s Leverkusen revival hits roadblock - Punch Newspapers

Victor Boniface...Photo Credit: Notjustok

Victor Boniface’s promising preseason revival at Bayer Leverkusen appears to have stalled just weeks into the new campaign, with the Nigerian striker restricted to a single substitute appearance so far and now turning to a series of cryptic social media posts, the latest of which, shared in the early hours of Wednesday, simply read “Be happy,” PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 25-year-old had entered the season full of promise after an encouraging preseason under new head coach Carles Martinez, scoring three goals in friendly matches against Baumberg and Newcastle and producing an eye-catching display in a 3-1 win over Kickers Offenbach, where he set up two goals after coming on at half-time. That form followed difficult 2024/25 and 2025/26 campaigns in which persistent knee problems, two collapsed transfer moves to Al-Nassr and AC Milan, and an injury-hit loan spell at Werder Bremen, where he failed to score in 11 appearances, saw his market value crash from a peak of €45m to just €5m. Despite the encouraging buildup, Boniface has made just one appearance across all competitions this season, providing an assist in Leverkusen’s 3-2 opening-day defeat to Elversberg. He has not featured since, missing Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Augsburg due to fitness concerns and being left out of Leverkusen’s Europa League squad for the league phase, ruling him out of the clash with NK Celje. Martinez, speaking earlier this month, explained that Boniface was still working his way back to full sharpness when squads were selected. “Two months ago, when we started our preparations, this question was not to be expected. He was not ready, he was in pain, his knee was not doing so well, and physically he was very far behind,” the Leverkusen coach said. “But the good thing is that his knee is responding better. There are still occasional minor issues, but it is much, much better. Because such a talent deserves a better year for him, and not just this year, but throughout his career.” Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has also moved to play down suggestions that the club could move for free agent Karim Benzema following the termination of his Al-Hilal contract, insisting the club remain satisfied with their current attacking options. “Our squad is complete,” Rolfes said. “The club can rely on Patrik Schick, Christian Kofane and Victor Boniface in attack.” Both Schick and Kofane have started the season in fine form, however, with four goals apiece in four appearances, leaving Boniface behind both in the pecking order and further squeezing his path back into the starting eleven. Against that backdrop, Boniface deleted all posts from his Instagram account last week and shared an emotional message on his Instagram Story, thanking God for standing by him through difficult times and drawing an outpouring of support from Nigerian fans. Nigerian stars reviving club careers in Europe Super Eagles’ Taiwo Awoniyi bags postgraduate diploma Bundesliga: Kane scores as Bayern edge Elversberg 2-1 “Dear God, I have no idea what is happening in my life right now, but I just want to say thank you for being with me in my highs and my lows. My life has not always been easy, but one thing I know: You have never left my side. You are my everything,” Boniface wrote. The post immediately drew emotional reactions from supporters, with fans taking to his Instagram page to encourage the Nigerian international and remind him of the challenges he has overcome during his career. A fan, @r6elitemanagement, described Boniface as “a fighter” and urged the striker not to give up, writing that his journey had inspired young footballers. “Keep fighting, Victor. We love you, we believe in you, and we are your number-one fans,” the supporter wrote. Another fan, @Chima.henry, pointed to Boniface’s struggles with serious knee injuries and multiple surgeries, stressing the mental strength required for a professional footballer to regain fitness and confidence after such setbacks, writing, “All he needs now is words of encouragement and prayers cos it’s not easy. I pray he comes out of this.” @AndersonJnr also sympathised with the striker over the setbacks and injuries he has endured, expressing hope that he would soon return to full fitness. “It’s a cruel world bro… we understand all the setbacks and injuries, and we pray he gets back on his feet,” the comment read. Boniface has not explained the decision to wipe his account, nor confirmed whether the message was connected to his situation at the club, and his latest post on Wednesday morning, urging followers to “be happy,” has done little to clarify matters. With his contract at the BayArena running until 2028 and Schick and Kofane continuing to thrive ahead of him, Boniface now faces mounting pressure to force his way back into Martinez’s plans, or risk a fresh search for regular football in the January transfer window, as previously speculated when Hannover were linked with his signature over the summer. Peter Akinbo Peter, who has been covering sports for PUNCH for close to two years, focuses on combat sports reporting, special features and human angle stories

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