'I won't tell you that' - Boniface refuses to say what Xabi Alonso told him before he came on v West Ham

German Bundesliga champions-in-waiting Bayer Leverkusen are in a good position to qualify for the semifinals of the UEFA Europa League following a 2-0 win over Premier League side West Ham United at the BayArena on Thursday night.

Bayer Leverkusen left it late to beat the Hammers, scoring in the final seven minutes through Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface.

With fourteen minutes left on the clock, the Nigeria national teamer came off the bench to replace Patrik Schick, his second appearance for the Werkself since recovering from an adductor injury that kept him sidelined for roughly four months. 

Boniface was involved in the build-up to the opening goal of the contest in the 83rd minute as Hofmann fired through the body of players after the Nigerian's first shot was blocked and fell to him.

In the first minute of stoppage time, the Super Eagles striker powered in a header at the far post to double the advantage.

Boniface was on media duties shortly after the game and one of the questions he was asked was to share the advice he received from Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso before entering the game as a substitute. 

In quotes relayed by the official website of UEFA, Boniface said: "Of course, it's great to come back and score straight away. We played a good game today and deserved to win in the end.

"What did the coach say to me before I came on? I won't tell you that. But it obviously wasn't entirely wrong."

Bayer Leverkusen will be crowned champions of the Bundesliga for the first time in their history if they beat Werder Bremen on Sunday, four days before facing West Ham in the return leg at the London Stadium.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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