Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface will not return to the pitch for the remainder of 2024 after suffering a muscle fiber tear in his right thigh.
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The injury occurred during Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday.
The 23-year-old forward, who has been in scintillating form for Leverkusen this season, missed Thursday’s training session upon returning from international duty.
The severity of the injury has since been confirmed, ruling him out of action until 2025.
This is not the first time Boniface has faced significant time on the sidelines. Last season, the Nigerian international was out for three months due to an adductor injury sustained during preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite these setbacks, Boniface has enjoyed a remarkable start to the current campaign. He has already scored eight goals in 15 appearances across all competitions for Die Werkself, cementing himself as a crucial figure in Bayer Leverkusen’s attack.
Boniface’s absence is a significant blow for Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga leaders. His strength, pace, and clinical finishing have been integral to their success this season, and the team will need to find ways to maintain their momentum without their star striker.
While Boniface faces another period of rehabilitation, both Leverkusen and the Nigerian national team will hope for his swift and full recovery.
With his track record of bouncing back from injuries, the powerful forward will aim to return even stronger in 2025, ready to pick up where he left off.
Boniface’s injury underscores the physical toll of elite football, but his resilience and determination suggest that this is only a temporary setback in what has been a promising career so far.
