The group stages of the UEFA Champions League resume in September, but teams in the lower rungs of Europe have to battle to ensure qualification
Nigerian striker Victor Boniface scored from the spot to ensure a spot for Bodø Glimt in the quarterfinals of the Champions League qualifiers despite a 3-1 loss to Klaksvik.
Boniface was the hero for the Norwegian champions when they thrashed Faroe Islands side Klaksvik. The Nigerian striker scored a hattrick to help his side to a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Aspmyra Stadion.
However, it was looking like Bodø Glimt were going to bottle it when they traveled to Faroe Island. Glimt bosses the possession, but the game was drawing away from their grasp.
Two first-half goals from Mads Mikkelsen and Jakup Andreasen put Klaksvik in front at halftime.
Nonetheless, the Norwegian champions were granted a lifeline in the 55th minute, as Heini Vatnsdal conceded a penalty for Klaksvik after he handled the ball in the box.
Boniface was on hand to convert from the spot, tucking the ball neatly into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1.
Klaksvik caused a scare after Andreasen scored in the 85th minute to make it 3-1. However, Glimt held on to seal the aggregate 4-3 victory.
Meanwhile, in Hungary, Anderson Esiti and Frank Bassey had a five-star performance in Ferencvaros’ 5-1 pounding of Tobol Kastanay.
Nigerian stars Esiti and Bassey did not start the first leg which ended goalless in Kazakhstan. However, Ferencvaros boss Stanislav Cherchesov handed Esiti a starting shirt in the second leg.
The Hungarian champions wasted no time in getting into the business on the night. Mali forward Adama Traore scored two goals in the space of 17 minutes. He then turned provider in the 21st minute for Aissa Laidouni to make it 3-0 for Ferencvaros.
Igor Sergeev scored for Tobol Kastanay two minutes later, but that was all they could get.
Cherchesov introduced Bassey into the game in the 68th minute, and the Nigerian forward was brilliant.
Bassey scored a brace within 15 minutes to complete a 5-1 victory for Ferencvaros.
Bodø Glimt face Linfield in the quarterfinals of the Champions League qualifiers, while Ferencvaros trade tackles with Slovan Bratislava.