Victor Okoh Boniface was born in Akure, Nigeria, on December 23, 2000. He began playing football at a young age, often engaging in street football like most Nigerian kids. Raised by his grandparents in a military barracks due to his grandfather’s military background, Victor Boniface frequented the football field with a neighbour, fostering his love for the game.
Boniface’s huge talent was evident early on. He started winning Most Valuable Player awards at a young age, most notably in an interclass football competition in his secondary school days. He juggled his secondary school days between classes and a local academy, spending approximately six years at the academy. The youngster’s skills and fearlessness against agemates and older opposition paved the way for his selection to The Real Sapphire Youth Academy in Lagos at the age of 15. His youth coach, Blessing Johnson, recognized his immense talent and unique playing style, and predicted a bright future for him. Despite numerous challenges at the academy, his determination to play football professionally kept him going.
After about 3-4 years at the academy, Victor Boniface was invited to a trial at Shooting Stars. Despite impressing, his small size at the time led to his placement in their academy, Rising Stars. Undeterred, he continued to push forward. At 19, his current agent organized a small tournament in Nigeria, leading to his selection by scouts from Europe. He had a trial initially at Valerenga FC in Norway but failed to secure a contract because the coach was unimpressed by the young man.
However, Victor Boniface proceeded to a trial at another Norwegian club. After training for a day, he was selected to play in a match the following day. He scored a first half brace and was substituted at the break because they didn’t want him to score more in the second half and trigger top clubs into coming for his signature. He signed his first contract with FK Bodø/Glimt a week later. Unfortunately, an anterior cruciate ligament injury after two weeks ruled him out for 6 months.
He made his league debut in September 2019 and starred for his club that season, scoring eight goals to help his team win their maiden Norwegian title in 2020. Victor Boniface secured his second consecutive league title with the Norwegian side in 2021.
He tore his ACL again in 2021. Subsequently, Club Brugge withdrew their interest in signing him because of the injury. A nightmarish moment for him made worse by the death of his mother around the same period. He lost interest in football and he just partied frequently. But he wasn’t done fighting. He rallied and came back to the pitch with a bang.
Victor shone for Bodø/Glimt in the league and was exceptional in their UCL qualification fixtures, earning himself a move to a bigger club at the end of the 2021/2022 season. He finished his stint in the Norwegian league with 23 goals and 8 assists across all competitions
Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise paid a reported £2million fee to secure his services from Norway. In Belgium, Boniface had a memorable debut season, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists. He was a standout performer in the Europa League, finishing as joint top scorer alongside Marcus Rashford and starring in the tournament’s team of the season.
Victor Boniface came agonisingly close to securing a first league title since 1935 for them but Saint-Gilloise missed out to eventual champions Genk on goal difference. Bayer Leverkusen had been tracking him previously and they were greatly impressed by his performance against them in the 2023 Europa league. They splashed £20 million to pry him away from Union Saint-Gilloise.
Boniface got off to an excellent start in the Bundesliga. He failed to grab a goal on his debut but he set up Jeremie Frimpong’s opener. The striker made amends in the next match scoring two important goals to secure an important win against Borussia Monchengladbach. The floodgates were opened and the goals started flowing in for Victor.
Victor Boniface was awarded both the rookie and player of the month awards in August 2023 for his heroics with Leverkusen, becoming the first Bundesliga player to do so since Erling Haaland. Subsequently, he picked up the rookie award of the month for four months in a row from August 2023 to November 2023. He spearheaded the unlikely title charge of Xabi Alonso’s team and his goal contributions were very vital to the team.
A muscle injury in January 2024 left him sidelined till April and he could only be a part of Bayer Leverkusen’s title charge from the bench at that point in time. Following his comeback from injury in April 2024, Victor Boniface was at the heart of Leverkusen’s two late goals in their Europa league first leg quarter final tie to seal a win over West Ham, setting one up and scoring the other. It was a heartwarming moment for the Nigerian striker.
His excellent week didn’t end there as he was rewarded with a start in Bayer Leverkusen’s match against Werder Bremen following his mid-week heroics in the Europa League. A win against Bremen would cement their status as Bundesliga champions with 5 games to spare. In the 25th minute, Boniface gave The Black and Reds the lead with a well struck penalty and set up Granit Xhaka for the latter’s thunderbolt from 25 yards out. Title celebrations were in order at that point!
As they continued their quest for a legendary unbeaten treble, they took on Augsburg in their final league game of the season at the BayArena. He gave them an early lead to set them on their way to seal the first ever unbeaten Bundesliga league triumph in history.
An Europa league final heartbreak to Atalanta BC through the heroics of his fellow countryman Ademola Lookman denied him and Leverkusen an historic treble. Victor Boniface triumphed in the DFB POKAL final a few days later, a consolation for the Europa league final loss.
As far as debut campaigns go, it was a memorable one for the attacker on a personal and collective level. He was voted the Bundesliga Rookie of the season, beating the likes of Xavi Simons and Ian Maatsen to the award.
Victor Boniface finished his maiden season in the German league with 14 goals and 8 assists. His numbers are even more impressive considering he had a lengthy spell on the sidelines and was limited to just 23 league appearances. He recorded 21 goals and 9 assists across all competitions finishing the season as Leverkusen’s top goalscorer.
On a collective level, he secured an unbeaten domestic double with The Black and Reds, playing a prominent role as they usurped Bayern Munich of their dominance in the German league. He became part of an elite club of four Nigerians who have won the Bundesliga title namely; Sunday Oliseh, Pascal Ojigwe and teammate Nathan Tella.
A Nigerian international through and through, Victor Boniface represented Nigeria at the under-17 and under-20 teams respectively, narrowly missing out on representing the latter at the Nations Cup due to an injury. The teenage sensation wasn’t discouraged by the setback, rather it propelled him forward. His exceptional performances with Leverkusen earned him a call up to the senior team in 2023. He made his debut on the 10th of September 2023, coming on as a substitute for Taiwo Awoniyi.
He failed to grab a goal but he unselfishly squared the ball to Samuel Chukwueze to score. He was included in Nigeria’s squad for AFCON 2023 and Nigerians looked forward to watching him play alongside the other Victor – Victor Osimhen – during AFCON 2023. Alas, this wasn’t meant to be! He was cruelly ruled out of AFCON and other competitions in January 2024 following a groin injury. He was called up for the June World Cup Qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic.
Victor Boniface idolised Neymar Jr as a child and this influenced his playing style to a large extent. His mesmerising and tricky feet often leave opposition defenders spell-bound and helpless. Standing at 6ft 3In, the Nigerian striker has a towering presence. His height provides a major advantage to him in winning aerial duels. He excels at dribbling, has a very clinical edge and is unselfish with the ball, often seeing laying off the ball to a teammate and sprinting towards the goal for the return ball.
His overall game is far from perfect as he needs to improve his offside awareness and defensive contribution. He is becoming a reliable penalty taker, scoring 4/4 in the Bundesliga last season.
Victor Boniface is a very lovely character on and off the pitch. He is one of the funniest players in the Leverkusen dressing room. No dull vibes around him!
His story is one that has been filled with perseverance, challenges and moments of happiness. Having taken the Bundesliga by storm this season, the Nigerian striker’s journey is just getting started.
