Eguavoen: Boniface’s still part of my Super Eagles team

Super Eagles caretaker coach, Austin Eguavoen says Bayer Leverkusen forward, Victor Boniface will remain a strong part of Nigeria’s senior national team despite the 23-year old’s uninspiring performances for the team.

Boniface made his sixth start in 11 games for Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against the Amavubi of Rwanda on Monday at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo, but, like his has done in his last eight appearances for the Super Eagles, the Germany-based striker failed to score.

In contrast, he has netted eight times in 15 appearances for Leverkusen this season and 29 in 49 appearances since he joined the Bundesliga side in July 2023.

But Eguavoen says he is not shutting the Super Eagles door against the Bundesliga Rookie of the 2023/24 season.

‘I agree. Boniface, we all know what he is capable of doing in his club, and when he comes back here, we try to give him a lot of confidence, a lot of playing time. He is not hitting the back of the net for whatever reason.

‘I’ve spoken to him personally many, many times, I’m someone who likes to give players confidence. I’ve done enough but he’s still part of the squad. He will remain part of the squad,” Eguavoen told journalists after the loss to Rwanda.

If Eguavoen remains in charge of the Super Eagles when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume next year March, Boniface will get another chance to transfer club form to the national team stage when the Super Eagles take on the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali before hosting Zimbabwe a few days later in Uyo.