“His quality is crazy” – Belgian defender compliments Nigerian star Boniface ahead of Europa League clash with Leverkusen

The defender praised his Nigerian compatriot for his depth of talent as they look ahead to the Europa League clash against Bayer Leverkusen

Belgian national team defender Siebe Van der Heyden has applauded club mate Victor Boniface ahead of their Europa League quarter final clash against Bayer Leverkusen.

Boniface created a beautiful assist for teammate Amani Lazare as Royale Union Saint Gilloise picked a 1-1 draw away at Gent on Saturday to maintain their top of the table push and cement their place in the Belgian end-of-season championship play-offs. It was Boniface’s sixth assist of the season.

“This guy is (22 years old) and the quality that he brings to the team is crazy,” Van der Heyden told Soccernet.ng.

“He can come into the ball, he can keep the ball very well with his body and also can play in the depth. He has this dribble that leads to assists, he is a quality player.”

Boniface has scored five goals in the Europa League and was named Player of the Week when he scored a brace in a 3-3 draw with Union Berlin in the Round of 16 in March.

Union Saint Gilloise eliminated Union Berlin and will now meet another German team, Bayer Leverkusen, in the quarter final, with the first leg set to be played in Leverkusen on Thursday.

“We play the Europa Cup with big ambitions,” Van der Heyden said. “I really want us to go far in the competition.

“But I know it will not be easy because Bayer Leverkusen is a team with a lot of quality. They have a lot of players with speed so it will not be easy.

“But we have good players, so I think we can do something,” he concluded.

Royale Union will hope that Boniface continues his big game performances during the double header against Leverkusen.