AFCON

NFF! How else can Boniface, the Europa League’s second-leading scorer, make the Super Eagles’ list?

The Nigeria Football Federation employed its social media channels to dispel the rumours that Victor Boniface was invited to join the Super Eagles

According to reports, Nigerian forward Victor Boniface was called up by Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro for their two-legged 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau, but the player declined the invitation.

The Nigerian star was reportedly left off of the Super Eagles’ final roster for their match against Guinea-Bissau during the interim, according to the country’s football body.

The federation’s football governing body has not yet revealed the reasons for Boniface’s exclusion from the Portuguese manager’s list. Still, according to the previous roster released for their doubleheader match against their West African neighbours, Boniface had a better record than some team members this year prior to the game.

The presumed African heavyweights could only manage a close one-leg win thanks to a penalty, despite the presence of the mentioned players.

Just this year, the Nigerian has six goals in all competitions for Union St. Gilloise, more than Ahmed Musa and Paul Onuachu, who has failed to score since moving from KRC Genk to Southampton in January.

However, the former Real Madrid forward, who now has 5 goals, is one goal behind Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in the UEFA Europa League scoring rankings.

Apart from that, his effort for his Belgian team earned him the title of Europa League player of the week.

However it is still unclear if the striker really declined the invitation for NFF to reimburse him since he had assumed that his invitation letter would include a return flight ticket.

Nonetheless, the Nigerian football governing body has been accused of doing certain unpleasant steps that are now having an impact on Nigeria’s footballing system.

Now, if an in-form Boniface, who has scored 19 goals and handed out 8 assists so far this season, is unable to make the 62-year-old manager’s final list ahead of some players with minimal effects in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifications, then the Federation must explain why Daniel Bameyi and Ahmed Musa of Yum Yum fc were chosen ahead of players like Chuba Akpom and Boniface.

This post was last modified on March 31, 2023 12:40 pm

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and an Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories. Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work. With a Bachelor's degree in English Language from Adeyemi College of Education and a Master's Degree in School Library and Media Technology from the University of Ibadan, Ayomide is well-prepared to excel in the field.

Share
Published by
Ayomide Oguntimehin

Recent Posts

U17 Women World CupQ: Harmony Chidi hat-trick powers Nigeria past Burkina Faso to final playoff

Nigeria's U-17 women's national team defeated their counterparts from Burkina Faso to advance to the… Read More

48 mins ago

Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella make history with Bayer Leverkusen after final-day victory over Augsburg

Super Eagles star Victor Boniface scored while Nathan Tella watched from the bench as Bayer… Read More

3 hours ago

Transfer expert hints at possible summer departure for Ajax’s Chuba Akpom

Transfer Exper and Ajax insider, Lentin Goodijk, has revealed that Nigeria-eligible striker, Chuba Amechi Akpom,… Read More

6 hours ago

“That’s a success story” – Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director hails Nathan Tella’s Fortitude

Bayer 04 Leverkusen sporting director, Simon Rolfes, has praised Nathan Tella for his ambitious personality… Read More

8 hours ago

Has Victor Osimhen played his last game for Napoli?

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was missing from Napoli's dramatic 2-2 draw against Fiorentina at… Read More

10 hours ago

Will Victor Boniface and Bayer Leverkusen rewrite Bundesliga history and attain immortality?

Bayer Leverkusen are on the brink of making Bundesliga history by completing an undefeated season.… Read More

12 hours ago