Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has been hit with another setback, as he is set to miss Bayer Leverkusen’s first game of the year after being ruled out with injury.
The 24-year old suffered a hamstring injury in mid-November in a 1-1 draw against Bochum, which forced him to miss the German Champions last nine games of 2024. Before then, he had scored eight goals in 15 appearances in all competitions as the reigning champions battled out against league rivals as they look to defend the crown they won in the 2023/24 season.
He was initially ruled out till the end of the year with a return fixed for Leverkusen’s first game of the year against title hopefuls Borussia Dortmund, but has now suffered a fresh setback as his recovery back to full fitness has been further delayed.
In team news before the match, the Europa league finalists revealed that the former Union Saint-Gilloise striker’s return to the matchday squad will be delayed due to a minor setback in his rehabilitation process.
In Boniface’s absence, Xabi Alonso has been forced to employ Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick who has formed a brilliant telepathic partnership with German attacker Florian Wirtz.
The 2023/24 Bundesliga Rookie of the season winner will however be expected to return to the team list when they host Borussia Monchengladbach on the 18th of January.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
