As Nigeria prepares to face Benin in their upcoming AFCON qualifier, one of the biggest storylines is the return of Victor Osimhen to the Super Eagles squad.
With the Galarasaray man back in the fold after an injury spell, it raises the question of what this means for Victor Boniface, who has struggled in recent times to impress at the national level.
Osimhen‘s finishing, aerial ability, and pressing style make him Nigeria's most prolific forward, and his leadership on the pitch often inspires teammates.
For Boniface, however, the feeling must be somewhat mixed. The Bayer Leverkusen striker was expected to step up in the absence of his friend and teammate, but has generally struggled to replicate his club form at the international level.
As such, Osimhen's return is expected to lead to a return to the bench.
Osimhen’s return to Super Eagles and its impact on Boniface
Yet, Boniface might still benefit from having Osimhen back.
The Galatasaray striker’s presence can relieve the pressure Boniface has faced as the focal point of attack, giving him a chance to develop alongside the reigning CAF Player of the Year, rather than in place of him.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward could even thrive in a supporting role, coming in the second period of the game to add more strength up front when Osimhen is running out of breath.
With Osimhen taking the lead role, Boniface can adapt and find his footing at his own pace—potentially forming a formidable partnership for the Super Eagles in the long run.
Osimhen’s stellar form at Galatasaray: A major boost for Nigeria
Victor Osimhen has been on fire since his loan move to Galatasaray, delivering a remarkable performance. He has either scored or assisted in every match he featured except for the Europa League game against Elfsborg.
In just nine appearances, Osimhen has racked up eight goals and four assists. Six of these goals have come in the Turkish Super Lig, with the remaining two scored in Europa League action.
His latest performance—a stunning brace against Samsunspor—secured Galatasaray’s victory at home, helping to maintain their lead at the top of the league.
Meanwhile, Boniface has also shown his scoring prowess, tallying eight goals and one assist this season. However, he has played six more games than his older counterpart.
Boniface’s goals include six in the Bundesliga, one in the Champions League, and one in the Super Cup. But his last goal came on October 26 in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen, and he’s now gone four games without a goal or assist.
With Osimhen’s consistent form and impact in Super Eagles colours, it’s likely Boniface will find himself back on the bench—unless he finds a way to reclaim the spotlight.
