Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has praised Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface for his versatility, particularly his ability to excel in various attacking roles. Alonso highlighted Boniface’s skill in playing both as a center forward and as a winger, a quality that has given Leverkusen significant flexibility in their attacking strategies, even as the starting lineup continues to evolve and change. Despite his time on the bench behind regular starters Patrik Schick and Nathan Tella, Boniface’s adaptability has remained a key asset to the team.

Since his return from injury, the Nigerian forward has found himself somewhat lower in the pecking order at Leverkusen, which has led to fewer minutes on the pitch. However, despite these limited appearances at the club level, Boniface was still selected to represent Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He made a brief substitute appearance in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe, continuing to contribute to his national team despite his club situation.

Upon returning to Germany, Boniface wasted no time making his mark on the field once again, scoring a goal in Leverkusen’s 3-1 victory over Bochum last Friday. In his post-match comments, as reported by Bild, Alonso expressed satisfaction with Boniface’s performance and particularly appreciated his combination play with Schick in the second half. Alonso also acknowledged that Boniface is now back at a high level of fitness and could certainly play from the start in upcoming matches.

“I liked both of them against Bochum, especially in the second half,” Alonso remarked. “He did well. Boni is back at a good level and can certainly play from the start. With him, we have flexibility; he can play as a center forward or as a winger.”

Boniface, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer of 2023, made an immediate impact in his debut season, helping the club secure the prestigious Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles while maintaining an unbeaten record. Although he is primarily a striker, Boniface has often been utilized on the flanks or in a dual-striker setup alongside Schick. Alonso greatly values this flexibility, as it allows Leverkusen to adjust their attacking approach and adapt to different tactical needs, thus strengthening their overall offensive options.