Nigeria’s New Assistant Coach Explains Difference Between Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface

• Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface are Nigeria's biggest football stars
• The two strikers are scoring for fun at their clubs in Europe's top leagues
• Nigeria's new coach has explained the main difference between the two

Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen are undoubtedly Nigeria's best players.

The two strikers have lit up Europe in the last two seasons and are becoming the most sought-after players in the transfer market.

New Nigeria assistant coach, Benjamin James, has said the two players are very different.

Due to injury, Boniface missed a chance to line up alongside the Napoli striker at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria would've performed better in the final against Ivory Coast.

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Both players have nearly identical numbers this season, but Boniface has won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen. Last year, Osimhen fired Napoli to their first Serie A title in 1990.

He also won the Serie A Golden Boot and the African Footballer of the Year award. James says the two centre-forward have different styles of play.

“Players have different characters. They have their different style of play,” he said via The National.

“I would use Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface as an example. Osimhen is not the creative type, but he is a finisher. Boniface can create and finish because he is good in one-on-one situations.”

James was recently named as an assistant coach to new Super Eagles coach, Finidi George.

The two strikers will probably play together when the Super Eagles meet South Africa and Benin in the World Cup qualifiers next month.

Boniface vs Osimhen comparison

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Boniface missed nearly four months with an injury this season, but his numbers are incredible. In 32 matches in all competitions in 2023/24, the 23-year-old has registered 20 goals and 10 assists.

He is Leverkusen's top scorer in the Bundesliga and could end the season as a treble-winner.

Meanwhile, Osimhen's numbers have dipped compared to last season. In 31 matches for the 2023 Italian champions, the 25-year-old has 17 goals and four assists, per Transfermarkt. His club will end the season trophyless.

Osimhen will likely leave Napoli when the season ends. He has been linked with PSG and Chelsea.

Boniface wins top award

Sports Brief earlier reported on Boniface winning the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award.

The Super Eagles star beat Borussia Dortmund's Ian Maatsen, RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons, and Hoffeinhem's Maximillian Beier.