AFCON 2023: Sunday Oliseh Names One Player Nigeria Needs Fit Ahead of Tournament

• Nigeria are sweating over the fitness of 23-year-old striker Victor Boniface
• The Bayer Leverkusen star is reportedly struggling with a muscular issue
• Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh thinks Nigeria can't afford to lose Boniface

Nigeria are one of the favourites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, set to kick off on on January 13.

The Super Eagles camp are sweating over the fitness of key player, Bayer Leverkusen forward, Victor Boniface. Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh has spoken about Boniface's injury.

The 23-year-old missed Nigeria's warm-up clash against Guinea, a game they lost 2-0. Boniface also missed Nigeria's 12-0 win over local UAE club Al Gharib.

According to Score Nigeria, the forward has undergone some testing to determine the severity of the issue. The report adds that the injury is a muscular one. Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho is also not fully fit.

From Victor Osimhen to Mohamed Salah, Top 10 Best African Players in 2023

Football

Sadiq Umar has started in Boniface's absence. Meanwhile, African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, was rested considering the challenges the other strikers are facing with their fitness.

Nigeria kick off their 2023 AFCON tournament against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14, and they need all their strikers fit before then.

Oliseh on Boniface

Reacting to the news that Boniface may be out of the tournament, Oliseh said the nation cannot afford to lose the striker.

"I have watched Boniface closely all season, and he is simply an extraordinary player! Him missing AFCON will be a bad blow for Us. We need to have him fit at all costs as he is in my opinion, definitely one of Naija's best hopes!"

Boniface has lit up the Bundesliga this season with Bayer Leverkusen. He has bagged 16 goals in all competitions so far in the 2023/24 season, per Transfermarkt.

AFCON 2023: Who are Hugo Broos' head coach rivals in Group E?

Football

Exciting news! We have a WhatsApp channel 🤩

➡️ Click to join our channel for all your favourite sports news.

Boniface ranked fifth best summer signing

Sports Brief also reported that Victor Boniface has been ranked the fifth-best summer signing of the 2023/24 season so far, following the outstanding performances of the Super Eagles forward for Bayer Leverkusen.

Xabi Alonso’s team are a joy to watch on the attack in the Bundesliga this season, and the 23-year-old Nigerian striker leads the way with 16 goals and eight assists in all competitions.

According to BSN Sports, Boniface joined Leverkusen from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise for a fee reported to be within the range of £17.3 million, and has been one of the standout players in Germany.