Victor Boniface’s rise from Nigerian slums to the UEFA Champions League

New Delhi: Bayer Leverkusen picked up their first Bundesliga title last season, after an unbeaten season last season. This season, they started the UEFA Champions League with back-to-back victories. Their latest UCL victory came in the 51st minute off the back of a wonderful goal from the boot of Victor Bonafis.

He was the team’s top scorer in the Bundesliga last season, netting 14 times, helping Xavi Alonso’s side end a 31-year trophyless wait. Atalanta broke their 51-game unbeaten streak in the UEFA Europa League final. Leverkusen surprised themselves with their performance.

In Bonafice’s own words, the team began to believe that the season was about to reach new heights for the club’s path. After such an impressive and consistent performance, the club is delighted to end the season with two trophies. The Nigerian footballer hails from Belgian team Union SG and has made a name for himself.

Boniface wins it for Leverkusen 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/OdyemtS3Oz

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 1, 2024

He is technically sound, and his pace and power make him a regular in Xavi’s squad. Having played with Leverkusen during his career in Belgium, he has been able to blend in well with a team he feels is close. It speaks volumes about his talent and his long stint at Nigerian club Real Sapphire since the age of 23.

Bonafice’s humble beginnings

Like many players from Africa, Bonafice’s career began on the streets and in local tournaments. A difficult childhood, with the loss of his mother, almost derailed his dream of playing football. During the Bundesliga triumph, Boniface himself recalled a time when he had to borrow boots to play in a local tournament. His story is actually one of resilience and determination to succeed.

An impressive season in African club-level football means European scouts are starting to take notice of the talent. He soon moved to Norwegian football club Bodo Glimt. Now, after an impressive season in German football, Boniface is a contender for the African Footballer of the Year award. However, the striker feels that there are many more players from the continent who deserve the title before him.

What’s next?

This year, Leverkusen have lost a game in the Bundesliga, meaning they will not have a second unbeaten season in the tournament. This season, they will not only defend their Bundesliga title but also participate in the expanded format of the UCL. Boniface himself voiced a concern that many players have already spoken about.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface during the UEFA Champions League (Photo by Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto Getty Images)

Of course, Wayne’s enthusiasm for playing football has waned a little with a long and tiring season. He missed three months of the previous season with a groin injury and knows the importance of rest. Although his team failed to make it a treble, Boniface expressed his satisfaction knowing that his Nigerian teammate Ademola Lookman scored a hat-trick in the final to give Atlanta the trophy.

Apart from defending the title for Leverkusen, he was instrumental in Nigeria’s bid to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Bonafice admitted that it was his dream to represent his country at that level after finishing runners-up in the last tournament. With so many tournaments stacked up this season in the expanded format, it will be interesting to see how a talented player like Boniface fares.