'The guy creates a great atmosphere' - Alonso reveals it's his job to force Boniface to focus only on football

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has shared insights into the relationship between Nigerian forward Victor Boniface and his teammates, while also addressing the player's off-field activities.

Boniface, who had endured a slow start to the season, found his form during Leverkusen's emphatic 4-1 win over Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Boniface delivered a standout performance at the PreZero Arena, scoring two goals and providing an assist.

His contribution was crucial to the team's victory, justifying Alonso's decision to keep faith in the striker despite his early-season struggles.

Before the Hoffenheim match, Boniface had neither scored nor assisted in the first two league games.

Beyond his on-field exploits, Boniface has also gained attention for his activities on social media, where he has participated in viral trends.

This was highlighted by his celebration after scoring both goals against Hoffenheim.

After each strike, Boniface pulled down his shorts slightly, which raised eyebrows among football spectators.

When asked about the celebration, Boniface explained that it was inspired by a TikTok trend created by a popular Nigerian influencer.

Despite the off-field activities, Alonso praised Boniface's work ethic and personality, citing his positive influence in the locker room.

Alonso acknowledged Boniface's off-field engagements but stressed that it is part of his role to ensure that Boniface focuses on football.

"All the teammates really like him, the guy creates a great atmosphere. Sometimes you have to force him to focus only on football, but that's my job, that's what I'm trying to do," coach Xabi Alonso was quoted as saying by efotbal.cz after his impressive performance against Hoffenheim.

As Leverkusen prepares for their upcoming Champions League clash against Feyenoord on Thursday, September 19, Boniface will look to build on his impressive performance and leave distractions behind.

His resurgence could prove vital for Leverkusen's ambitions this season, both domestically and in Europe.

Adeyemi Adewale

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