Victor Boniface has publicly thanked award-winning Nigerian singer Teni the Entertainer for supporting him through one of the toughest periods of his football career, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles striker underwent knee surgery earlier this year and he has credited Teni (real name, Teniola Apata) for standing by him through it all.
The 25-year-old striker underwent surgery on January 10 after struggling for months with persistent knee pain that eventually forced him to end his season early. Boniface later admitted that he had been ‘putting on a fake smile' while dealing with the injury during his difficult loan spell at Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.
The knee problem worsened in December 2025 after he suffered severe cartilage damage during a league match. Following consultations with specialists in Austria, Boniface travelled to Innsbruck where renowned surgeon Dr. Christian Fink carried out the operation.
The procedure nearly ruled the Nigerian international out for the remainder of the 2025/2026 campaign and became another frustrating setback in a career that has already been heavily disrupted by injuries despite his enormous talent.
The Werder Bremen forward, who spent months battling a serious cartilage problem, used his official X account to appreciate the Nigerian musician for repeatedly checking on him during his recovery process.
“After my surgery, I know how many times Teni Entertainer call to check on me. Respect,” Boniface wrote.
Teni, born Teniola Apata in Lagos, remains one of Nigeria’s most recognisable music stars. Famous for hit songs such as ‘Case', ‘Uyo Meyo', and ‘Billionaire', she has built a reputation for her lively personality and strong friendships within Nigeria’s entertainment and sporting circles.
The singer rose to prominence after the success of ‘Fargin' in 2017 before winning major honours including Rookie of the Year at the Headies and Best New Artist at the Soundcity MVP Awards in 2018. In 2022, she was awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) for her contribution to Nigerian music and culture.
Boniface closing in on Bundesliga return
Boniface’s recovery has now entered a more positive phase, with the striker recently returning to light training after completing rehabilitation at parent club Bayer Leverkusen.
The former Unions SG forward made his first matchday squad appearance in more than three months when he returned to the bench for Werder Bremen’s 1-1 Bundesliga draw against VfB Stuttgart on April 26, although he remained an unused substitute.
Bremen manager Daniel Thioune has admitted the striker is still dealing with a ‘fitness deficit', with the club carefully managing his workload as they battle to secure Bundesliga survival.
Boniface is expected to feature mainly from the bench in Bremen’s final two league matches against TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund as he continues rebuilding his sharpness and confidence.
Bremen currently sit 15th in the Bundesliga table and need just one more point from their remaining fixtures to guarantee their place in Germany’s top flight next season.
Boniface first exploded onto the scene in Germany during Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning season under Xabi Alonso in 2023/24. He scored 14 goals and added eight assists as Leverkusen completed an ‘Invincible' domestic campaign.
His powerful running, intelligent movement and ability to create chances quickly made him one of the most exciting forwards in German football.
However, recurring injuries have slowed his progress and significantly reduced his market value in recent months. After surgery, rehabilitation and months away from the pitch, Boniface will hope the final weeks of the season can signal the beginning of a fresh chapter in his comeback story.
