Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has hailed Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface for his ability to adapt to different attacking roles.
Alonso highlighted Boniface’s ability to play both as a center forward and as a winger, a quality that has allowed Leverkusen to maintain their attacking fluidity despite changes in the starting lineup.
Since returning from injury, the Nigerian forward has found himself behind Patrik Schick and Nathan Tella in the pecking order.
However, despite his limited minutes at club level, he was still called up to the Nigerian national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, making a brief substitute appearance against Zimbabwe.
Upon his return to Germany, Boniface made an instant impact, scoring in Leverkusen’s 3-1 victory over Bochum last Friday.
Speaking in his press conference, as reported by Bild, Alonso expressed satisfaction with Boniface’s performance against Bochum and his ability to complement Schick in attack.
“I liked both of them against Bochum, especially in the second half,” Alonso said. “He did well. Boni is back at a good level and can certainly play from the start. With him, we have flexibility; he can play as a center forward or as a winger.”
Boniface, who joined Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer of 2023, made an immediate impact in his debut season, helping the club secure the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles while remaining unbeaten.
Though primarily a striker, Boniface has often been deployed on the flanks or in a dual-striker setup with Schick.
Alonso values his adaptability, emphasizing that his ability to contribute from different positions strengthens Leverkusen’s attacking options.
