Austin Eguavoen has expressed his support for Victor Boniface amidst the striker’s ongoing difficulties in finding the net for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
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The Bayer Leverkusen forward once again came under scrutiny after failing to score in the team’s 2-1 loss to Rwanda during the AFCON 2025 qualifiers on Monday.
Leading the attack in the critical match, Boniface struggled to make an impact and was eventually substituted in the 89th minute for Umar Sadiq.
Boniface, who debuted for the Super Eagles on September 10, 2023, has now gone 11 matches without scoring for the national team. Despite his impressive club form in the Bundesliga, where he has become a key player for Bayer Leverkusen, the striker has found it challenging to replicate that success on the international stage.
Eguavoen, speaking at the post-match press conference, acknowledged the concerns surrounding Boniface but emphasized that the striker remains an integral part of the squad.
“We all know what Boniface is capable of, especially at his club. When he comes here, we give him confidence and playing time, but for some reason, he hasn’t been able to score,” Eguavoen said. “I’ve spoken with him; I’m someone who always supports and motivates players. He is still part of this team and will remain in the squad.”
The coach’s reassurances highlight his faith in Boniface’s abilities and potential to deliver for the national team in the future. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the forward can turn his fortunes around in upcoming matches.