Nine caps, no goals: Exploring Victor Boniface's Nigeria goalscoring curse

Victor Boniface's phenomenal success at Bayer Leverkusen has left Nigerian football fans perplexed.

How can a striker who spearheaded Leverkusen's unbeaten Bundesliga title triumph, scoring 14 goals and providing 9 assists in 23 games, struggle to replicate this form for the Super Eagles?

Since debuting in September 2023, Boniface has failed to find the net in nine games for Nigeria, despite coming close on several occasions.

His recent outings against Benin, Rwanda, and Libya were particularly underwhelming.

Tactical dynamics hold the key to understanding Boniface's struggles. At Leverkusen, he thrives as a free-roaming striker or false 9, enjoying the freedom to drift wide, take on opponents, and create scoring opportunities for himself and teammates.

His versatility also allows him to thrive in a supporting role, utilizing his creativity and trickery to devastating effect.

In contrast, Nigeria's setup demands a more traditional target man, particularly in Victor Osimhen's absence.

Boniface's direct, aggressive approach, while effective at club level, hasn't translated to the national team.

The 23-year-old's inability to adapt to this new role has resulted in a frustrating goal drought.

Despite these challenges, Boniface's talent is never in doubt. His recent club form, where he has registered five goal contributions in six league appearances, demonstrates his ability to deliver on the big stage.

Tuesday's return leg against Libya is another opportunity for Boniface to stake his claim for Nigeria's top striker spot.

Can he finally break his duck for the Super Eagles? Will he find a way to translate his club success to the international arena? We will just have to wait to find out.

Ejim Kyacee

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