The Super Eagles’ head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, who is yet to replicate his scintillating club form on the international stage.
Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign concluded on a disappointing note with a 2-1 loss to Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Monday.
Despite already securing qualification, the defeat exposed lingering issues within the Super Eagles setup, particularly in attack.
The match saw Samuel Chukwueze hand Nigeria the lead in the 59th minute, only for Rwanda to mount a spirited comeback.
Aimable Mutinzi equalized in the 72nd minute, while Imanishimwe Nshuti scored the decisive goal just three minutes later, earning Rwanda a memorable victory.
The spotlight remains on Victor Boniface, whose prowess at Bayer Leverkusen has not translated to goals for the national team.
Since making his debut in September 2023, the 22-year-old has yet to find the net in 11 appearances for Nigeria.
Speaking after the match, Eguavoen acknowledged the forward’s struggles but reaffirmed his belief in the player’s potential.
“Boniface is an exceptional talent, as we’ve all seen at Bayer Leverkusen,” Eguavoen said.
“But transitioning to the national team is a different challenge. We’ve worked hard to build his confidence and give him opportunities, but it hasn’t clicked yet.”
Boniface’s performances have drawn inevitable comparisons to Victor Osimhen, a fan favorite who has consistently delivered for the Super Eagles.
While Osimhen has seamlessly adapted to both club and country responsibilities, Boniface has yet to achieve the same synergy.
Eguavoen emphasized that patience is key to unlocking Boniface’s full potential with the national team.
“I’ve spoken with him several times, offering support and advice,” Eguavoen said.
“He’s still young and learning. We believe in his ability and know he will come good with time.”
Despite fan frustration, Eguavoen confirmed that Boniface remains a crucial part of his plans.
“He’s still part of the squad and will continue to be involved,” the coach stated firmly.
With Nigeria heading to Morocco for the AFCON next year, Boniface’s development will be crucial as the Super Eagles aim to reclaim African football supremacy.
Eguavoen’s confidence in the striker is clear, but only time will tell if Boniface can rise to the occasion.
For now, the team will need to regroup, address tactical issues, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Whether Boniface will be a key figure in Nigeria’s AFCON journey remains one of the pressing questions surrounding the Super Eagles.