Victor Boniface, the Super Eagles striker, is currently experiencing a significant goal drought, extending his goalless streak for Nigeria to seven games following a 1-0 victory over Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. This match, which took place on Friday, marked nearly a year since Boniface last scored for the national team—a performance that took place during a 2-2 friendly against Saudi Arabia on October 13, 2023. Since that moment, he has struggled to find his footing in the attacking line, failing to convert opportunities into goals across various matches, including friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. The ongoing drought has raised concerns regarding his form and the impact this may have on the national team’s offensive capabilities as they seek to qualify for upcoming tournaments.
Boniface’s difficulties were heightened when he faced an adductor injury that sidelined him from participating in the Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast. After missing crucial opportunities due to this injury, he returned to the squad but continued to underperform. In a disappointing outing against South Africa, he remained an unused substitute, demonstrating that his chances to contribute to the team were limited. His return did not yield immediate results either, as evidenced in a disappointing match against the Benin Republic, where he played for 40 minutes but couldn’t make a significant impact, contributing to Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat.
Despite these setbacks at the international level, Boniface started the 2024/25 season brightly with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. His club performances were promising, suggesting a strong individual ability, yet this form did not transfer over to his play for Nigeria. During the first two games of the AFCON qualifiers against Rwanda and Libya, he was unable to register a goal, reflecting a stark contrast to his play in the domestic league. Observers noted that despite being granted a starting position by Interim coach Austin Eguavoen, Boniface struggled significantly, failing to take even a single shot on goal throughout his 74 minutes on the pitch against Libya.
After witnessing Boniface’s struggles against Libya, Coach Eguavoen decided to substitute him for Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, thereby extending Boniface’s goal drought to seven games for the national team. This decision underscored the urgency surrounding Boniface’s form, as the coach had previously expressed steadfast confidence in his ability to score during the match. Eguavoen had asserted that despite Boniface’s challenges in finding the net recently, he believed that the striker could deliver if given the opportunity. Unfortunately, the outcome was contrary to the expectations set before the game.
Looking ahead, Boniface remains hopeful of breaking his goal-scoring curse in Nigeria’s upcoming match against Libya at the Martyrs of February Stadium. With pressure mounting from fans and the coaching staff, he will be keen to demonstrate his capabilities and make a strong case for his place in the squad moving forward. The focus will be on whether Boniface can convert the opportunities presented to him and reignite his goal-scoring abilities, which would not only benefit his individual career but also bolster Nigeria’s attacking options during crucial qualifiers. As the Super Eagles continue their journey toward the Africa Cup of Nations, the resolution of Boniface’s goal drought could prove pivotal to their success.
