Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, both hailing from Nigeria, played pivotal roles in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga triumph last weekend, as the team clinched their first-ever championship title with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen.
Despite encountering setbacks, including a significant injury that sidelined him for over three months, 23-year-old Boniface showcased his talent throughout the season, emerging as one of the league’s standout players under the guidance of coach Xabi Alonso. His return to form was highlighted by a remarkable performance in the title-clinching match, where he notched crucial goals and assists, propelling Leverkusen to victory.
Boniface’s contributions throughout the campaign, totaling 19 direct goal involvements in just 18 league appearances, underscore his potential as a rising star in European football. With Leverkusen still in contention for the German DFB Pokal and the UEFA Europa League, Boniface’s hunger for success remains evident as he aims to add more silverware to his collection.
Meanwhile, Tella, who joined Leverkusen from Southampton at the beginning of the season, has also played a significant role in the team’s success. Operating in an unfamiliar wing-back role, Tella has adapted admirably to Alonso’s tactics, contributing to Leverkusen’s dominance in the Bundesliga.
With their Bundesliga triumph, Boniface and Tella join the ranks of Nigerian players who have made their mark in the German top flight, following in the footsteps of Pascal Ojigwe and Sunday Oliseh.
In other football news, Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, despite his success with Napoli in Serie A, faced disappointment as his team failed to secure a victory against Frosinone. Despite Osimhen’s individual brilliance, Napoli’s struggles in the league have left them trailing behind league leaders Inter Milan, casting doubt on their European qualification prospects.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah’s recent struggles in the English Premier League have posed challenges for Liverpool, as the team suffered a setback in their title race following a defeat to Crystal Palace. Despite Salah’s prolific goal-scoring record, his recent form has been inconsistent, raising concerns for Liverpool’s aspirations.
On a positive note, Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi delivered a standout performance for Fulham in their victory over West Ham, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most productive Nigerian players in Premier League history. With his seventh direct goal involvement of the season, Iwobi continues to make significant contributions to his team’s success on the pitch.
