Left-back Boniface inspires Chelsea to comeback win against Southampton U18s with goal and assist
Published: December 19, 2023Chelsea U18s ended their fixtures in 2023 with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Southampton at the Cobham Training Ground on Tuesday afternoon.
Coach Hassan Sulaiman named two Nigeria-eligible players in the starting XI which were Somto Boniface and Chinonso Chibueze and had one on the bench in Saheed Olagunju.
It was the away side that would draw the first blood in the 19th minute when an unmarked Josh Pitts headed the ball into the net, six yards from goal.
An own goal from Travis Akomeah doubled Southampton's lead and the young Blues were unable to reduce the deficit before the end of the first half.
Akomeah atoned for his earlier own goal by helping Chelsea pull one back in the 82nd minute before substitute Rio Ngumoha restored parity with an emphatic strike from close range after he was teed up by Boniface.
Shim Mheuka thought he had gotten the winning goal when he headed the ball into an empty net but was flagged for offside.
It was Boniface who would hand Sulaiman's side the maximum points in the 9th minute of the stoppage time with a powerful shot past Southampton goalkeeper, Dylan Moody.
The 17-year-old left-back has now recorded 2 goals in the U18 Premier League this campaign, with both coming in two of the past 3 games.
The win moves Chelsea to third position in the U18 Premier League Southern Section with 21 points from 9 games and with 2 games in hand.
Abdulkareem Abdulhamid
Photo Credit: chelseafc.com
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- 'It's not just his goals' - West Brom interim coach rues absence of top scorer Josh Maja
- Super Eagles midfielder once on Man City's books on the radar of Premier League clubs
- 'He could go' - Former Sunderland midfielder weighs in on the future of Rangers striker Dessers
- Bristol City and Swansea weighing up moves for Celtic alum Osaze Urhoghide
- Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye at risk: Five reasons he could face a lengthy ban
- Boniface will miss Borussia Monchengladbach clash as Alonso reveals expected return date
- 'I strongly believe' - Ex-Enyimba GK Noble optimistic Super Eagles can make history by winning CHAN
- Lookman's brilliant finish against Real Madrid wins Atalanta Goal of the Month for December 2024
- History maker: Man Utd's hat-trick hero Amad breaks African record held by Ighalo, Quinton Fortune
- Leeds United latest English club interested in signing 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football