Former Nigeria midfielder Sylvanus Okpala has advised the Super Eagles coaching staff to support striker Victor Boniface in regaining his confidence when playing for the national team......READ THE FULL STORY>>.....READ THE FULL STORY>>
Boniface has faced significant criticism for his inability to replicate his impressive club form for Nigeria.
However, in a chat with Brila.net, Okpala emphasized the importance of rallying around the Bayer Leverkusen forward, expressing belief that the goals will eventually come.
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“Osimhen comes in and scores. When Osimhen isn’t there, Boniface doesn’t score,” Okpala noted.
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“He needs to be talked to, given a lot of confidence, and reminded that as a center forward, his primary role is to score. If he can’t score, then he should start providing assists.”
Okpala also stressed the importance of patience:
“He shouldn’t be too anxious to score in every game. Yes, scoring is crucial, but he needs to stay calm. When you count one, you can get to two.
Once he starts scoring, the confidence will return. It’s normal. Bayer Leverkusen is different from the national team.”
Boniface has made 11 appearances for Nigeria but has found the net only once. His struggle for goals contrasts sharply with his prolific form at Bayer Leverkusen.
Currently sidelined with a muscle fiber tear in his thigh, Boniface sustained the injury during Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda. With World Cup qualifiers set to resume in March, Boniface will be hoping to recover in time and earn another call-up to prove himself on the international stage.
