Super Eagles forward Boniface to stay longer on the stand

Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface will spend more time on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his recovery from injury.

Boniface has been sidelined since sustaining a thigh injury on international duty last November.

The 25-year-old, however, trained with his teammates before Christmas.

Bayer Leverkusen, however, revealed on Sunday that he has suffered a small setback.

It is now uncertain when he will return to action.

Boniface has registered eight goals and one assist in 15 appearances for Die Werkself this season.

Boniface has been injured since November 2024, missing the club’s last nine matches due to a thigh problem and will have to wait longer before returning to action in the New Year.

Boniface had a decent start to the season, helping Bayer Leverkusen with eight goals and one assist in 15 appearances.

The Nigerian striker has appeared to be back to good health recently but recent reports out of Germany indicate he will have to wait a little bit longer.

“Bayer Leverkusen has confirmed that Victor Boniface’s return to match action has been delayed due to a minor setback in his rehab phase,” Leverkusen-centred blog, WerkselfXtra posted via X.

Sky Sports News was the first to report the news on Sunday, “As B04 reports, Victor Boniface ‘s return to play is delayed due to a small setback in the rehabilitation phase.”

Following this update, Boniface’s return date has not been confirmed yet. But aside from the game against Borussia Dortmund next week, he will likely miss the next game against Mainz on January 14.

Leverkusen haven’t sorely missed the 24-year-old Nigerian with coach Xabi Alonso recently sparking up his competition with Patrik Schick when he returns.

“I have difficulty in choosing players to use in all the positions, I like to have it,” Alonso told a Germany-based Nigerian journalist.

“What we want is that everyone is fighting for a position to get better and help the team.

“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. We want him fully fit so that he forgets his injuries, he is working hard on the pitch, and scoring goals.

“Boniface and Schick decide who plays because the one that deserves and proves himself usually gets the chance.”

After joining Leverkusen from Royale Union SG last year, Boniface ended last season with 21 goals and ten assists in 34 appearances.