Godsent Ogbebor
The Super Eagles have hailed Victor Boniface after his match-winning performance in Bayer Leverkusen’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over 1. FC Köln in the DFB-Pokal quarter-final.
The team’s official X account celebrated Boniface’s impact on Thursday, posting: “Super Sub 👊🏽 Victor Boniface came off the bench to grab the winner for Leverkusen against Köln in the DFB-Pokal last night.”
Leverkusen had found themselves trailing 2-0 after goals from Damion Downs (45+1′) and Linton Maina (54′) gave Köln a strong lead. However, Patrik Schick pulled one back in the 61st minute before scoring a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time (90+7′), forcing extra time.
Boniface, who was introduced as a substitute, made the difference in the 98th minute, expertly volleying home a cross from Alejandro Grimaldo to complete the turnaround. Köln thought they had leveled in the 112th minute, but Imad Rondic’s goal was ruled out for offside, securing Leverkusen’s place in the semi-finals.
Boniface’s performance earned praise from Nigerian football fans and analysts, with many celebrating his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso lauded the team’s resilience, saying: “It was a very tough game against a strong opponent. But we showed character. It may not have been our best game, but we played with heart and fought until the last minute.”
Boniface’s goal also served as a response to recent criticism from a podcast questioning his abilities. His match winning strike further cemented his reputation as a decisive player for both club and country.
