Victor Boniface, Nigeria’s prolific striker, has been ruled out of Bayer Leverkusen’s opening match of 2025 against Borussia Dortmund on Friday, January 10.
This follows a setback in his rehabilitation from a thigh injury that has sidelined him since November 2024.
Boniface, who had a strong start to the season with eight goals and one assist in 15 appearances, has already missed Leverkusen’s last nine matches.
While there were hopes for his return in the new year, recent updates from Germany confirm his recovery will take longer than anticipated.
Leverkusen-focused blog WerkselfXtra shared the update via X, noting that Boniface’s return to action has been delayed due to “a minor setback in his rehab phase.
” Sky Sports News journalist Marlon Irlbacher corroborated this on Sunday, reporting that Leverkusen has yet to confirm a new return date for the 24-year-old forward.
Boniface is now expected to miss the Dortmund clash and the subsequent fixture against Mainz on January 14.
Despite his absence, Leverkusen has coped well under coach Xabi Alonso, who has utilized Patrik Schick effectively in recent games.
Alonso remains optimistic about Boniface’s recovery and the competition his return will bring.
Speaking to Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba, Alonso highlighted the importance of healthy competition within the squad.
“I like to have difficult decisions in every position,” Alonso said. “We want everyone fighting for a place, improving, and helping the team. Boniface is working hard, and we want him fully fit so he can forget his injuries and focus on scoring goals.”
Boniface, who joined Leverkusen from Royale Union SG last year, concluded the 2024 season with an impressive record of 21 goals and ten assists in 34 appearances.
While fans eagerly await his return, Leverkusen’s depth in attack continues to provide a strong foundation as they aim to maintain their competitive edge.
