Nigeria international Victor Boniface has found an vocal supporter in Werder Bremen midfielder Cameron Puertas, who has spoken candidly about the striker’s value to the squad despite a loan spell that has been repeatedly interrupted by knee injuries.
Puertas, speaking on his teammate’s situation, made clear that Boniface’s physical and technical attributes set him apart from most forwards in the squad. “Boni could be a great asset to the team. He has qualities that not many players possess. It would be a real bonus for us if he were with us. He would definitely benefit the team,” the midfielder said.
The two players have built a close relationship at the club, with Puertas revealing the nature of their day-to-day interactions in training and around the facility. “The season hasn’t been easy for him, especially with the knee injury. We sit next to each other in the locker room, talk things over, and joke around. I sincerely hope that it works out for him and that he can finish the season on a positive note,” he added.
Boniface joined Werder Bremen on loan from Bayer Leverkusen with the expectation that a temporary move would provide him with the regular first-team minutes he had struggled to accumulate. The 24-year-old had been a key figure in Leverkusen’s historic 2023-24 Bundesliga title-winning campaign — the club’s first league championship — but consistent minutes became harder to secure thereafter, making the loan move to Bremen an attractive proposition for his development.
However, recurring knee problems have significantly curtailed his involvement since arriving at the Weserstadion, limiting his ability to build the rhythm and match sharpness that such a loan was designed to provide. The setbacks have disrupted what was anticipated to be a defining period in the striker’s career progression.
Despite the difficulties, Boniface is reported to have remained focused on his rehabilitation programme and is gradually working his way back toward full match fitness. Werder Bremen, according to reports, remain cautiously optimistic that the Nigerian forward could still contribute before the current campaign concludes.
For Bremen, the stakes around Boniface’s return are not insignificant. The club will be eager to extract value from the loan arrangement in the final weeks of the season, and Boniface’s physical presence and instinctive attacking play would offer a different dimension to their frontline options. His return to fitness could prove timely as Werder look to close out the Bundesliga campaign on a positive note.
At international level, Boniface remains a key figure in the Super Eagles setup under coach Eric Chelle, and his form and fitness at club level will inevitably inform his involvement with Nigeria going forward. Maintaining momentum heading into the next international window will be important for both player and country.
