By Mark Ogagan
Bayer Leverkusen and Nigeria striker, Victor Boniface is set to miss “a few games” after returning from international duty with a leg injury, coach Xabi Alonso disclosed on Friday.
Initial diagnosis claim he could be out for the rest of the year, but his club coach feels otherwise.
“He’s got a small injury in his thigh muscle, it’s a shame,” Alonso told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home clash against Heidenheim.
Nigerian media reported Boniface could miss the remainder of 2024 but Alonso was optimistic the striker would be back soon.
“He won’t be there tomorrow or against Salzburg (Champions League).
“We hope he will play again this year. We have to wait and see, but it’s not going to be six or eight weeks.”
Boniface featured for the Super Eagles in back to back AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda before returning to his base in Germany.
Forward Patrik Schick, who has started just twice in the league this season, is expected to step up in for Leverkusen in the Nigerian’s absence.
“He is always ready — we don’t just need him now, but always,” Alonso said.
The defending champions, who did not lose a game in Germany last year on the way to an unbeaten league and cup double, have stuttered this season.
Leverkusen are currently in fourth, nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. Alonso’s men have dropped 13 points so far this season, one more than the 12 they leaked in the entirety of the last campaign.
Boniface is Leverkusen’s current highest scorer in the league, with six goals and an assist in 10 games.
Discussion about this post