No Victor Boniface, no problem! Tella’s Bayer Leverkusen continue title charge with Mainz win

Despite missing the services of their Nigerian import, Xabi Alonso’s Black and Reds silenced visiting Carnival club

 

Bayer Leverkusen continue to wax stronger without Victor Boniface with a 2-1 a 2-1 win over Mainz on Friday to continue their impressive run in the German topflight.

In the process, they became the first German club in history to go 33 matches unbeaten in all competitions, beating Bayern Munich’s record.

The Nigeria international has been out of action since January having suffered a muscle-tendon injury in the right adductor area during the Super Eagles training camp in Dubai.

Granit Xhaka and Robert Andrich all found the net for Xabi Alonso’s men against the visitors who pulled one back through Dominik Kohr.

Both teams came out blazing at inside BayArena, however, it was the hosts who scored first inside three minutes – curling a beauty past goalkeeper Robin Zentner.

Five minutes later, Mainz restored parity as Kohr contorted his body to head home a Silvan Widmer cross in an uptight opening to the keenly contested encounter.

The visitors had many chances to take the lead but they paid dearly for their profligacy in front of goal with Phillipp Mwene and Lee Jae-sung the main culprits.

Things got worse for them with 10 minutes left on the clock as substitute Jessic Ngankam was sent off for a dangerous play.

Fuelled by Mainz’s numerical disadvantage, Alonso’s side turned the heat on Bo Henriksen’s team to stab home a late winner thanks to Andrich.

Boniface’s compatriot Nathan Tella was thrown into the fray for man-of-the-match Jeremie Frimpong in the 83rd minute.

With this result, Bayer Leverkusen remain on course to emerge as league champions – leading the log with 11 points over second placed Bayern Munich.