Victor Boniface: Bayer Leverkusen Search for AFCON Bound Striker’s Replacement

• Bayer Leverkusen have begun the search for Victor Boniface’s replacement
• Boniface looks set to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in January
• The Nigerian forward is Bayer Leverkusen’s top scorer this season with 14 goals

Bayer Leverkusen are worried about the void Victor Boniface’s absence would cause the team when the 2023 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in January.

The 22-year-old forward, who joined the Bundesliga side in the summer, has become a key figure in Xabi Alonso’s team as his goals have taken them to the summit of the Bundesliga table.

According to All Nigeria Soccer, Bayer Leverkusen wants a competent new striker who will cover for Boniface during his absence at AFCON when he represents Nigeria in the competition.

The Super Eagles striker could miss up to six games including the DFB Cup quarter-final clash with Stuttgart and the crucial match against Bayern Munich, thus the reason behind the club's search for a striker.

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Bayer Leverkusen are seeking to win the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history and they believe Boniface’s long absence could hinder that dream from happening except they put in place countermeasures.

Leverkusen bound for 2023 AFCON

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen could lose up to five first-team players to African nations when the 2024 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations starts, thereby affecting their club’s chances to win the Bundesliga, DW Sport reports.

Victor Boniface, Odilon Kossounou, Edmond Tapsoba, Amine Adli and Nathan Tella could head to the 2023 AFCON when the competition kicks off in Ivory Coast in January.

The 2023 tournament was originally scheduled for June and July this year, but it was moved back because of fears the rainy season in the Ivory Coast could stop play.

Boniface strikes again for Leverkusen

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that you can’t keep Victor Boniface quiet in the Bayer Leverkusen colours as the Nigerian striker was again in the thick of the action, this time in the DFB-Pokal.

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Boniface grabbed the game’s opening goal as Leverkusen led SC Paderborn in their Round of 16 clash.

He scored in the 12th minute of the game, latching on brilliantly to a Josip Stanišić cross to guide the ball off the post and into the net.