Nigeria’s Boniface equals Haaland record, beats Kane, others to win Bundesliga Player of the Month award

Nigeria's rising sensation, Victor Boniface, has claimed the coveted Bundesliga Player of the Month award for August 2023, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Bayer Leverkusen forward beat notable stars like Bayern Munich's Harry Kane and Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind to the prestigious honour. 

The Bundesliga, in a statement released on Thursday, revealed that the award selection process involves a meticulous two-stage evaluation.

It takes into account the players' performance metrics and incorporates input from both fans and experts. The August accolade focuses on the players' contributions during Matchdays 1 and 2 of the season.

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After joining Bayer Leverkusen from Belgium's Union Saint Gilloise in the summer, Boniface kicked off the league campaign in remarkable fashion.

The youngster provided a crucial assist on his Bundesliga debut in Die Werkself's 3-2 triumph over Leipzig. Boniface continued to shine, netting a brace in the resounding 3-0 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach on matchday two. 

What sets Boniface apart is his incredible shot tally, which eclipsed that of all other Bundesliga players in August, totaling an impressive 14 attempts. He unleashed a staggering 11 shots on target against Jonas Omlin's goal during the second matchday alone – an achievement that outstripped Harry Kane's combined performance across Matchdays 1 and 2.

But Boniface's success is not solely based on his offensive strength. The Super Eagles striker was made a staggering 54 challenges, a statistic that crowns him as the highest challenger in the Bundesliga. His tenacious pressing game has further cemented his reputation, with a remarkable 43 percent success rate in winning challenges.

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Boniface's exceptional performances have earned him not one but two awards this month. Alongside the Player of the Month honour, he was also named Rookie of the Month, becoming the first player since Erling Haaland in 2020 to clinch both titles in a single month.

Beyond his club exploits, Boniface contributed an assist on his Super Eagles debut to help Nigeria secure a 6-0 victory against Sao Tome and Principe in their final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.