In a painful setback for both the Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, striker Victor Okoh Boniface is slated to endure approximately four months on the sidelines due to an unfortunate injury suffered while on duty with the National Team.
The 23-year-old, initially part of Jose Peseiro’s 25-man AFCON squad, had to withdraw from the lineup after sustaining a muscle-tendon injury in his right adductor.
The void left by Boniface’s absence has been swiftly filled by OGC Nice’s Terem Moffi, who has been drafted into the squad as his replacement and is set to join the team on their journey to Ivory Coast.
Despite early assessments indicating a six-week recovery period, Bayer Leverkusen’s official website has delivered a harsh blow, revealing that the young striker will undergo surgery. His anticipated return date is now scheduled for early April, leaving Xabi Alonso’s squad without their top scorer during crucial stages of the Rückrunde.
This news adds to Alonso’s woes as he is already missing four key players engaged in international duty at the AFCON tournament. Boniface’s absence will be felt keenly, especially in the upcoming clash against Bayern Munich and the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League. While a potential return for the quarter-finals remains uncertain, the Super Eagles star’s absence will undoubtedly leave a significant void in Leverkusen’s attacking prowess.
Boasting an impressive record of ten goals and six assists in sixteen league starts this season, Boniface’s absence marks a challenging period for Xabi Alonso and his men as they navigate crucial fixtures without their prolific striker.
