Bundesliga club, Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface sustained a groin injury in training during Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and was unable to participate in the two friendly matches the team played.
His club Bayer Leverkusen said on Tuesday that Boniface suffered “a muscle and tendon injury in his right adductor during the Nigerians’ training camp in Dubai”, and that the 23-year-old forward will need surgery meaning that he was ruled out of the AFCON tournament.
the 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star returned to Germany shortly after sustaining the injury and had a successful surgery in Berlin. Bayer Leverkusen confirmed on their official Twitter page on Wednesday that the striker had successful surgery in Berlin and will return to Leverkusen later in the week to complete his rehabilitation.
Victor Boniface was replaced by Terem Moffi on Tuesday after he sustained the injury during their training camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Boniface’s latest injury adds to the injury woes of the Nigerian team after their star midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was withdrawn from the Super Eagles squad for AFCON after picking up an injury in Leicester City’s 2-0 win against Cardiff City in the Championship in December.
Aside from Nigeria, Leverkusen will also miss the services of the 23-year-old as he is expected to be out until April.
Boniface is Leverkusen’s top scorer, netting 16 goals across all competitions this season. He made his international debut in October 2023 and has since earned four for Nigeria.
He is Leverkusen’s top scorer with 10 goals as Xabi Alonso’s team tops the Bundesliga and is undefeated in their 25 games in all competitions this season, a German record.
Leverkusen starts the second part of the season away at Augsburg on Saturday.
