Victor Boniface found the net as Bayer Leverkusen secured their maiden Bundesliga title with a 5-0 victory at home against Werder Bremen.
The goal against Werder Bremen was the Nigerian's second in two games since his injury return. Not only did he score on the day, he also assisted Granit Xhaka who scored Leverkusen's second on the day.
It will be recalled that Boniface scored in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals clash, contributing to Leverkusen's 2-0 win over West Ham last Thursday.
Surprisingly, despite a 31-year drought in major titles, Bayer Leverkusen's achievement of ending Bayern Munich's decade-long dominance as German champions might not even be the pinnacle of their current campaign.
Under Xabi Alonso's management, the team could potentially conclude the season with several trophies. They've reached the DFB Pokal final, and have a chance to compete for UEFA Europa League glory.
Additionally, ‘Neverlusen' aim to maintain an unbeaten unbeaten run throughout the season.
Boniface the history maker
For decades, Leverkusen fans have longed for the day when their team can finally win the coveted Bundesliga title, which has eluded them since the club's inception.
Varying personalities, profiles, and backgrounds put this shirt on over Leverkusen's storied 119-year legacy, administering an array of different playing styles and methods of expression on the pitch.
Infamously known as the nearly men, The team secured four consecutive second-place finishes from 1997 to 2002. The seasons of 2000 and 2002 were particularly disheartening for fans, as on both occasions, the Bundesliga title seemed within the team's reach.
Die Werkself fans can now breathe a sigh of relief, as the long-awaited Bundesliga title has finally been secured. One individual deserving of immense commendation for this achievement is Boniface.
Having joined Leverkusen in July 2023 from Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, Osimhen has become a very important figure at the Bay Arena.
It is not just his sporting prowess that has earned him such hallowed prominence. From the moment of his debut, he latched on to the city’s character and understood their struggles.
In 27 games across all competitions for Leverkusen this season, Boniface has been involved in 28 goals, scoring 18 and providing 10 assists. This is evidently a commendable return for a player who was sidelined for three months due to injury.
Will Boniface move on after historic achievement with Leverkusen?
With the 22-year-old's impressive performances for Leverkusen, and many clubs looking to capitalise on emerging talents in European football, Boniface is reportedly drawing interest from English giants Arsenal and Chelsea.
The problem, though, is that Juventus also hold a strong interest in signing Victor Boniface. According to a report by Tuttojuve, the Serie A giants are preparing for a massive overhaul that will see several players depart at the end of the season and, therefore, want to bring in a new striker.
Boniface's contract with Leverkusen ends in 2028, but given the shortage of clinical strikers in Europe, it will be challenging for Leverkusen to retain their prized asset if Europe's big clubs come calling.
According to Transfermarkt, Boniface is valued at € 40million.
Nathan Tella played a part too
Boniface is not the sole Nigerian international involved in Leverkusen's history-making feat, Nathan Tella is the other. The 24-year-old has had a remarkable season with Leverkusen.
He has made 31 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals and registering three assists. Tella also joined the newly-crowned German champions in August 2023 from Southampton.
He has earned one cap for the Super Eagles, starting in their 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in November last year.
With this feat, Boniface and Tella become the third and fourth Nigerians to win the Bundesliga after Pascal Ojigwe and Sunday Oliseh.
Ojigwe won it with Kaiserslautern in the 1997/98 season, while Oliseh won it with Borussia Dortmund in the 2001/02 season.
