Victor Boniface returned to Bayer Leverkusen's starting XI after being absent in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final clash with Roma last Thursday.
Xabi Alonso's side ran riot at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, trouncing the home team VFL Bochum 5-0 on Sunday.
Patrick Schick gave the newly-crowned German champions the lead in the 41st minute, with Super Eagles forward Boniface extending the away side's lead just before half-time by converting from the spot in added time of the first half.
Amine Adli, Josip Stanisic, and Alex Grimaldo all scored in the second half to complete the rout. The win took Die Werkself to 87 points, 15 points ahead of second-placed Bayern Munich.
Boniface's goal on Sunday was his 13th in the Bundesliga in 22 games and with 17 starts. He has also registered eight assists.
Bayer Leverkusen stretch their unbeaten run to 50 games.
Bayer Leverkusen have achieved a remarkable milestone in European football history, becoming the first side since the introduction of UEFA club competitions to go 50 consecutive games across all competitions unbeaten.
Their incredible feat spans an impressive 351 days since their last defeat, a testament to their resilience and consistency on the field.
During this remarkable unbeaten run, Bayer Leverkusen have showcased their attacking prowess, netting an astounding total of 141 goals across the 50 games.
Their potent offensive capabilities, coupled with a solid defensive structure, have propelled them to numerous victories and secured valuable points in both domestic and European competitions.
This historic achievement highlights Leverkusen's status as a formidable force in European football.
Under the guidance of Alonso, his backroom staff, and the leadership of their players, the club has forged a winning mentality and a culture of success that has propelled them to new heights.
As Bayer Leverkusen continue their unbeaten streak, their fans eagerly anticipate each match, knowing that their team is capable of producing moments of brilliance and securing positive results against any opposition.
Can Boniface help Leverkusen win the treble?
As Bayer Leverkusen prepare for the culmination of their season, the question looms large: can Boniface help Leverkusen win the treble?
With the Bundesliga title already secured and final appearances in both the UEFA Europa League and the DFB Pokal on the horizon, the stage is set for Boniface and his teammates to etch their names into the annals of football history.
Leverkusen's remarkable campaign has seen them dominate in the league, clinching the Bundesliga crown with impressive displays of skill and determination.
Now, they have the opportunity to translate their domestic success onto the European stage as they prepare to face Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final.
The road to European glory has been arduous but rewarding for Leverkusen, and Boniface has played a pivotal role in their journey.
His goalscoring prowess and versatility have been invaluable assets for the team, propelling them to victory on numerous occasions.
However, the quest for the treble is not without its challenges. Standing in Leverkusen's path are formidable opponents in Atalanta and FC Koln, both hungry for silverware of their own.
Boniface and his teammates will need to summon all of their collective strength and resilience to overcome these obstacles and emerge triumphant.
With the Europa League final against Atalanta looming large on Wednesday, followed closely by the DFB Pokal final against FC Koln on Saturday, the pressure is on for Leverkusen to deliver.
Can Boniface help lead his team to glory and secure an unprecedented treble for Bayer Leverkusen?
Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the world will be watching as history unfolds.
Why Victor Boniface deserves CAF Player of the Year accolade
No African player has had a better season, arguably, than Victor Boniface who has helped Bayer Leverkusen win a maiden Bundesliga title.
En route to that conquest, Leverkusen did not lose a single game, and they remain unbeaten in all competitions.
The season could get even better, though, silverware-wise, with Leverkusen within striking distance of a treble — only three matches separate them from DFB-Pokal and Europa League glory — that, though not quite possessing the same sheen, would truly banish any lingering memories of the more glittering version they agonisingly missed out on back in the early noughties.
It remains to be seen if Leverkusen can really go all the way — though we are, frankly, running out of reasons to believe they cannot — but Boniface has already established himself as a giant cog in Xabi Alonso's juggernaut, not some mere accessory.
He is the club's top-scorer, their main threat upfront, with 13 goals in the league and 19 in all competitions.
A generous topping of ten assists makes it quite clear just what a productive season Boniface has had for his club; in the league, he has, on average, been directly involved in a goal every game.
All that is even more remarkable given the context that this is only Boniface's first campaign in a major European league, and also that he missed the bulk of 2024's first three months with an adductor injury.
That fitness issue, of course, accounts for the only blot on the 23-year-old's season: his AFCON no-show.
