Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso explained the reason why Nigerian forward Victor Boniface is not yet a regular stater since his return from injury in April.
The 22-year old has been halted by a groin injury in December while he was having an instant impact on his first season in Germany with Leverkusen.
Victor Boniface was compelled to abandon his dream to play his first-ever AFCON with Nigeria in Ivory Coast where the Super League reached the final before losing to the host country.
So far, he completed his comeback from injury last month but did not find back his starting status under Xabi Alonso despite being impressive even as a substitute.
Speaking in his pre-Europa League final press conference on Tuesday, the Spanish coach has been invited to explain his management of the Nigerian star.
And he replied : “It’s a good question. But for sure after the injury, it takes time and of course we have a wide squad with so many players and all of them want to be on the pitch”, Alonso said.
Nigerian fans frequently ask me why Victor Boniface hasn't been starting as many games for Bayer Leverkusen since his return from injury. So, I took these questions directly to the manager, Xabi Alonso. #Europaleaguefinal pic.twitter.com/VXG8tDqz6O
— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) May 22, 2024
“I like when someone is not playing and shows his character to prove me ‘coach you were wrong I have to be on the pitch’. That’s the challenge for a professional.
“I’m happy with Boni. The impact that he has helped us so much and we are helping him to be back on track. But tell people from Nigeria that we are happy with him (smile),” he added.
This season, Victor Boniface scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists in 33 appearances across all competitions so far and won the Bundesliga title being unbeaten pending the Europa League (tonight against Atalanta) and the German Cup.