Victor Boniface is the rave in the Super Eagles, and although the spotlight remains steady on another Victor ( Osimhen), together, the duo could go on to become one of the best strike Partnership ever seen in the Super Eagles.

Boniface, who’s only 22, is the archetypical striker for what Jose Peseiro is cooking ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and the forward is proving to be a good selection headache for the Portuguese.

Strong, fast, possessing intelligent footwork, got a keen eyes for goals, but perhaps one of his finest attributes is the unselfish nature when deployed in either a front two or three.

In Nigeria’s recent past, only a few, but most notably the likes of Kanu Nwankwo, Chinedu Obasi Ogbuke, and Brown Ideye are reminiscent of the perfect side kick for the Batman.

It wasn’t just their skill set that stood them apart, it was the fine balance they offered as an attacking option, the lethal decoy who carried as much goal threat as the Preferiti.

The rise of Victor Boniface itself also alludes to the immense talent of the player. From carrying Bodø/Glimt to the verge of Champions League qualification, to his tremendous run with modest Union Saint-Gilloise – in both Belgium and Europe.

His reward, a craftsman pride, did not go unnoticed and today, Boniface is further honing his art in one of German’s best football development factories and in tandem under the tutelage of a very cerebral football enthusiast – Xabi Alonso.

Alonso, who himself is cut from the cloth of football excellence, has carved a fine niche for himself in such a short while in management.

The former Spanish International, who has the World Cup trophy, UCL, LaLiga and Bundesliga trophies among his personal collections.

Equally, he also has the uncommon good grace of picking the brains of football royalties including, Vicente del Bosque, Pep Guardiola, Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

That is the mentorship which Bayer Leverkusen has availed Boniface for his growth and development in the game.

In his only game for Nigeria yet, the Forward came off the bench in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe, and he immediately showed seamless adaptation.

His introduction coincided with the team scoring three further goals against the modest opponents, yet he had a hand in all three goals including picking up an assist for Samuel Chukwueze’s strike.

Without a doubt, the bulky forward is certain to be a problem for even the fiery, cut throat African defenders when next year’s Cup of Nations comes rolling along.