Victor Boniface: Good news as Super Eagles & Bayer Leverkusen star takes crucial step in injury comeback

Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface is close to getting back to full fitness after recovering from the injury that kept him out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Soccernet.ng reports.

Boniface was, alongside Napoli ace Victor Osimhen, one of the key players the Super Eagles planned to unleash on the rest of the continent at the AFCON.

However, Boniface suffered a groin injury in training with Nigeria in Dubai during the preparations for the AFCON and returned to Germany ahead of schedule.

An MRI scan was carried out immediately, which revealed the extent of the injury, meaning he would require corrective surgery. He was expected to be out of action until April.

However, Boniface has recovered ahead of schedule, and on Wednesday, he took a major step forward in his rehabilitation.

For the first time in over two months, Boniface trained with the ball, suggesting he could be back in action for Bayer Leverkusen before the end of the month.

Boniface is set to miss Nigeria’s two international friendlies against Ghana and Mali later in March.

However, the 6’3″ attacker will be in contention for available spots in the Super Eagles squad for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying faceoff against South Africa in June.

Before sustaining his injury, Boniface was flying in the Bundesliga after hitting the ground running since his summer transfer from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.

Boniface registered ten goals and seven assists in just 16 Bundesliga appearances for Alonso’s high-flying Werkself outfit, playing a leading role in their ascent to the Bundesliga summit.

The former USG ace also added four goals in the UEFA Europa League and another two in the DFB Cup as Leverkusen continued to pursue silverware in three competitions.

In his absence, Bayer Leverkusen have maintained their unbeaten run in all competitions.