Yet to open Super Eagles account after 8 games: Kola Ige backs 'fantastic player' Boniface to come good 

Former Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Kola Ige, has offered insight into Victor Boniface's challenges with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, despite his impressive performances for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

Since joining Leverkusen in the summer of 2023, Boniface has made a significant impact, helping the German club secure the Bundesliga title in his debut season.

The Super Eagles striker scored 14 goals and provided 9 assists in 23 league games, ensuring Leverkusen clinched the title without a defeat.

However, Boniface has struggled to replicate this form for Nigeria. Since his debut for the Super Eagles in September 2023, he has yet to score a goal after eight matches for the national team. 

His difficulties were evident in recent games against Benin and Rwanda, where he struggled to make an impact and was substituted, with Victor Osimhen taking his place.

In an interview with allnigeriasoccer.com Ige explained that Boniface's struggles with the national team are due to his difficulty in settling in.

He believes that with time, Boniface will adapt and begin to perform at the same level as he does for his club.

"Boniface is a fantastic player who has proved his worth on a number of occasions in his club side but you know he is still looking for that the same stuff with the Super Eagles," Ige said.

"Sometimes it is like that you have a different player to play with when you come to the national team. Yes, he is from Nigeria but the atmosphere and everything.

"He is a good player and he is settling down slowly. And I want believe by the time he settles down he will start banging the goals just like Osimhen too as well."

Nigeria's recent performances in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers have ended a poor run of form following the 2023 AFCON tournament.

The Super Eagles secured a 3-0 victory over Benin at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium and played to a goalless draw with Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

With these results, Nigeria now top Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers with four points, positioning itself strongly to qualify for the tournament in Morocco.

Adeyemi Adewale

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