“He’s not fit yet” – Karel Geraerts pleased exciting Nigerian striker delivered undeserved match-winner

The Union SG boss was not impressed with his charges’ output at the weekend, but he was quick to single out the club’s Nigerian import for praise

Royale Union Saint-Gilloise manager Karel Geraerts has expressed delight that Nigerian striker Victor Boniface came up with the goods when his team needed him the most.

Boniface was RUSG’s saviour on Sunday, with the 21-year-old netting a 92nd-minute winner to lift the visitors to a hard-fought 2-1 win at Eupen.

For long periods in the encounter, Union SG looked uninspiring and unimpressive, and it appears the game was headed for a boring draw.

It was no surprise that Karel Geraerts’ men struggled to produce their best form, having exerted much effort in defeating Malmo on Thursday in the Europa League.

But Boniface came to the rescue in the closing stages. Since joining Union SG in the summer from Bodoe/Glimt, it was the first time Boniface would complete ninety minutes.

Geraerts confessed that the Nigerian was not in optimal physical condition and was forced to keep the striker on the pitch for lack of options on the bench.

And the 40-year-old is pleased the decision paid off in the end.

“Boniface completed the 90 minutes today for the first time,” Geraerts said, as per Sporza.

“That was not the intention because he is not physically top yet.

“But it was 1-1, and we had no more attackers on the bench, and then I like to keep my attackers on the field. Fortunately, he was in the right place.”

Boniface has been praised for how quickly he has adapted to Belgian football. His physicality and strength have caused some to liken him to Inter Milan star Romelu Lukaku.

The young attacker already has 16 goals in all competitions for Bodoe/Glimt and Union SG. For the Belgians, Boniface has three goals and two assists in eight matches.