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

Why Chelsea doesn’t need Victor Osimhen – Ex-Man City star Wright-Philips

Former English international Shaun Wright-Phillips has weighed in on Chelsea's potential pursuit of Super Eagles… Read More

57 minutes ago

Kvaratskhelia or Yunus Akgün? Victor Osimhen speaks on his preferred teammate

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor James Osimhen, refused to pick a side when he… Read More

3 hours ago

17-year-old Nigeria-eligible defender pens professional deal with Chelsea

Teenage English sensation, Olutayo Peter Subuloye, has penned his first professional contract with two-time UEFA… Read More

5 hours ago

Raphael Onyedika: Club Brugge boss reveals why Super Eagles star was not selected for Union Saint-Gilloise draw

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika was not dressed up for Club Brugge's league game against… Read More

5 hours ago

WATCH: Lazio star Fisayo Dele-Bashiru dances in the face of racist insults in Lecce

Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru became the latest victim of racial abuse in football during Lazio’s… Read More

7 hours ago

“I am satisfied” – Home-based Super Eagles coach confident his side will seal CHAN spot

Head coach of the Super Eagles B team, Daniel Ogunmdede, has backed the home-based Nigerian… Read More

7 hours ago