Victor Boniface has earned widespread admiration following his crucial role in Bayer Leverkusen’s thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over 1.
FC Köln in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals. The Nigerian forward was hailed for his match-winning performance, with the official Super Eagles account taking to social media to laud his impact.
“Super Sub Victor Boniface came off the bench to grab the winner for Leverkusen against Köln in the DFB-Pokal last night,” the Super Eagles tweeted on Thursday, acknowledging his heroics in a dramatic clash.
The match looked to be slipping away from Leverkusen after Köln surged into a 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Damion Downs (45+1’) and Linton Maina (54’).
But a resilient Leverkusen side, led by Patrik Schick, began their revival. Schick’s brace — first pulling one back in the 61st minute and then equalizing in stoppage time (90+7’) — sent the game into extra time.
In the 98th minute, Boniface emerged as the ultimate game-changer.
The Nigerian international, introduced off the bench, connected with a brilliant cross from Alejandro Grimaldo, volleying home to seal the dramatic turnaround and give Leverkusen a 3-2 lead.
Köln’s hopes of a late equalizer were dashed when Imad Rondic’s goal in the 112th minute was ruled offside, confirming Leverkusen’s place in the semi-finals.
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The comeback was a testament to Leverkusen’s resilience, with coach Xabi Alonso praising his team’s heart and tenacity: “It was a very tough game against a very good opponent. But we showed a good reaction. It was maybe not our best game, but we played with a big heart and fought until the last minute.”
Boniface’s match-winning goal comes at a perfect time, silencing critics who had recently questioned his form. With a goal that secured progression in a high-stakes match, the Nigerian forward proved himself as an indispensable figure for both club and country, earning the admiration of fans and pundits alike.
Leverkusen reacting to his goal pose “ABEG. HE DEY SCORE GOALS….. OOOOOOOO🇳🇬
“100′ | 3-2 | #B04KOE #DFBPokal s foal.”
