'Won't be back' - Xabi Alonso reveals Bayer Leverkusen will face Freiburg without Boniface

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has ruled out Victor Boniface’s involvement in their German Bundesliga clash with SC Freiburg at the BayArena on Saturday evening. 

The Super Eagles striker has been nursing an injury which has kept him out for the last seven games but was pictured back in training on Thursday.

This led to optimism that he could feature against Freiburg but that hope has now been dashed by Alonso.

Boniface has enjoyed a remarkable year with Leverkusen, flawlessly winning the Bundesliga in May as well as the German Cup, known as the DFB-Pokal.

Due to his remarkable performance in his debut season, he was also the recipient of the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season, being the first Nigerian to do so since the inception of the award in the 2016/2017 season.

He has also enjoyed a remarkable start to this season, chipping in six goals and one assist in 10 league games.

The 23-year-old's last appearance in the Bundesliga was his cameo appearance in the 1-1 draw with VfL Bochum in early November and that has now been confirmed to be his last game in the Bundesliga this year.

Speaking in his pre-match conference ahead of tomorrow's clash with Freiburg, Alonso confirmed that the Super Eagles forward will not be participating in the fixture but could be back for their first league match next year

"They won't be back in the squad tomorrow. With Boni and Jonas, it looks like they will be back for the first game in the new year but it could last a little longer with Amine,” he told Bayer Leverkusen's official website.

Coincidentally, Boniface played once again Freiburg last season, which was in the first leg at the BayArena, but missed the second due to an injury.

The Breisgau Brazilians are one of the few teams the Nigerian striker is yet to score against in the Bundesliga.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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