Following Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga victory, the atmosphere in Germany was electrifying with beer flowing and Nigerian hip-hop stealing the spotlight. One individual who played a pivotal role in the transformation of the German club from perennial contenders to champions is Victor Boniface, hailing from Akure. Below is Peter Akinbo’s insightful dive into his journey.
In the rich tapestry of German football history, Bayer Leverkusen has often been mockingly dubbed ‘Neverkusen’ for their consistent near-misses in major competitions.
One such tale from a Nigerian perspective involves Karibe Ojigwe, who made the switch from Kaiserslautern to Die Werkself in 2000.
Prior to Ojigwe’s arrival, Leverkusen had only secured one significant title – the DFB-Pokal in 1993 – in their lengthy 96-year existence.
Despite having star players like Michael Ballack, Ze Roberto, and others, Leverkusen continually fell short in crucial moments, epitomized by their heart-wrenching near-misses in the 2000/01 season under Ojigwe’s tenure.
The ‘Neverkusen’ curse lingered for 22 more years until the arrival of Nigerian striker Victor Boniface from Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, who propelled them to Bundesliga glory.
Boniface’s impact was immediate, reshaping Leverkusen’s destiny and guiding them to unprecedented success.
His remarkable journey stands as a testament to resilience and unwavering determination, stemming from his humble beginnings in Akure where his footballing prowess was first recognized.
Despite encountering personal tragedies and career-threatening injuries, Boniface’s passion for the game never wavered as he carved a path to Europe, shining brightly in Norway with Bodo/Glimt before making waves in Belgium.
His stellar performances captured Leverkusen’s attention, leading to his €20.5m move to the BayArena, where he quickly silenced any doubts with his on-field exploits.
From winning Bundesliga Player of the Month to being a consistent top performer, Boniface’s impact was undeniable until a groin injury briefly disrupted his momentum during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite setbacks, Boniface returned in time to help Leverkusen secure their historic Bundesliga triumph, showcasing his resilience and unwavering spirit on the road to success.
Victor Boniface’s contributions to the club’s historic triumph were undeniable, playing an integral role in the achievement. As Bayer Leverkusen fans flooded the pitch in celebration, the 23-year-old Nigerian had a message for them. “We are celebrating a great achievement in the league, but we still have two other competitions – the Europa League and the German Cup final – to compete in and try to win for our fans,” he expressed.
Basking in the glory of their triumph, Bayer Leverkusen’s future appears promising with Boniface at the helm. With the Europa League semi-final and the German Cup final approaching, his focus remains on adding more silverware to his growing collection. Fully recovered from his groin injury, Boniface is poised to assist the club in achieving the treble and has shown good form with two goals in his last three games.
The upcoming Europa League semi-final against high-flying Roma in Italy on May 2 presents the next challenge. Meanwhile, the German Cup final against Kaiserslautern on May 25 offers the perfect opportunity to conclude his maiden season with the club on a high note. “I have won a league title before,” Boniface reflected as celebrations continued at the BayArena last Sunday. “But this is different. This is bigger.”
His meteoric rise did not go unnoticed, garnering widespread acclaim and recognition in the footballing world. Reacting to Boniface’s impressive season, CAF posted on their platform, “They said there’s a first time for everything, so Boniface made sure the first was his.” Former Bundesliga champion with Borussia Dortmund in the 2001/02 season, Oliseh also praised his compatriot, stating, “Victor Boniface was once again extraordinary as Leverkusen clinched its first-ever Bundesliga title with five games remaining. Boniface is strong, skilled, intelligent, mobile, and composed under pressure, and I am convinced he will lead Nigeria to AFCON glory soon. Congratulations bro,” Oliseh shared on his platform.
In Boniface, Leverkusen unearthed more than just a striker; they discovered a transformative force that exceeded expectations and reshaped the club’s identity. His journey from the streets of Akure to the revered grounds of the Bay Arena embodies the rewards of hard work and serves as a source of inspiration for footballers worldwide. As ‘Neverkusen’ fades into obscurity, ‘Leverkusen’ emerges, propelled by the indomitable spirit of Victor Boniface, who is leading them to greater heights.