Leverkusen's Boniface resets after 'crazy' season

Nigeria striker Victor Boniface is targeting more success with Bayer Leverkusen after helping the German champions end their 31-year trophy drought in stunning fashion last season.

Xabi Alonso’s side recorded an unbeaten domestic campaign to secure their first Bundesliga title and win the German Cup.

Their remarkable 51-game streak without defeat drew widespread attention before it was finally halted by Italian side Atalanta in the Uefa Europa League final.

"Before the start of the season, none of us thought we would achieve something crazy like this," the 23-year-old told BBC Sport Africa.

"After a few games we had this feeling that we wanted to do great things for the club.

"We said to ourselves that we can't have such good performances and not have anything to celebrate at the end of the season. Luckily we had two [trophies].

"Everyone sacrificed a lot - the players, the coaches and the staff."

Boniface quickly made his mark in the Bundesliga after signing from Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise in July last year.

His blend of speed, strength and technical skill earned him a regular spot in Alonso’s starting XI, and his success in Germany was also bolstered by his connections with fellow Africans in the squad.

"I played against Leverkusen when I was in Belgium, so coming here was easy because I already had friends at the club," Boniface explained.

"We have five or six African players but everyone in the squad, in general, is really close. I think that was one of the keys to our success.

"The bond is there, the friendship is there, we respect each other and try to help each other."

Leverkusen will start the defence of their Bundesliga title away against Borussia Monchengladbach on 23 August, having already added to their haul of silverware by beating Stuttgart on penalties in the German Super Cup final - with Boniface opening the scoring in a 2-2 draw.

They also face the added challenge of having to balance their domestic campaign with a return to the newly expanded Champions League

The competition's new format sees teams now playing eight matches in a league phase, increasing the number of games for elite clubs.

"I haven’t checked [out] the new Champions League set-up, but just to play football makes me happy," Boniface said.

However, amid the excitement, there has been increasing criticism of the new football calendar.

Fifpro, the global players’ union, and several European clubs have expressed concerns that the changes could impact player welfare.

Fifa's new calendar, including an expanded 32-team Club World Cup which will be held next June and July, has also received criticism.

"It’s not easy playing so many games and a long season," Boniface, who missed three months of 2023-24 with a groin injury, said.

"Of course we need the rest.

"I understand why other players or coaches are saying this. They should understand why many players are complaining."

Fifa argues that the introduction of an annual global league for international teams, alongside adjustments to international breaks, is crucial for the global growth of football, increasing revenues and providing more opportunities for both nations and clubs to compete at the highest levels.

Leverkusen showed remarkable resilience last season, coming within one match of winning a treble during a lengthy campaign.

Their only defeat came in the Europa League final, where Boniface’s Nigeria team-mate Ademola Lookman scored a hat-trick to secure the win for Atalanta.

"He’s Nigerian, and I’m Nigerian - there’s a lot of mutual respect," Boniface said.

"They got the result, and I’m happy for him."

Boniface’s ascent to football stardom is a tale of perseverance, talent and an unwavering drive to succeed.

Growing up in Nigeria, where many young footballers hone their skills on the streets and in local tournaments, Boniface soon attracted the attention of European scouts.

During his Bundesliga triumph with Bayer Leverkusen in April, Boniface shared a poignant snapshot from his early days, wearing worn-out shoes while playing in a local match.

"That picture was taken years ago when I was still at a football academy," he recalled.

"The shoes I used to play the first game were torn, so I had to borrow [another pair].

"The picture is to show it’s not just about the good part. The story was 'don't give up on your dreams'."

After a stellar season, Boniface is considered a strong candidate for the African Footballer of the Year award, currently held by fellow Super Eagle Victor Osimhen.

However, Boniface believes that other African players also deserve recognition, namechecking Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus alongside his Leverkusen team-mates Odilon Kossounou and Edmond Tapsoba.

Looking at the season ahead, he will play a crucial role not only in Leverkusen’s quest for glory but also in Nigeria’s efforts to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

"It’s everyone’s dream to represent a great country like Nigeria,” he said.

"We have so much talent. We’re truly blessed."

The 2025 Nations Cup qualifiers begin in September, with Nigeria, who finished as runners-up in the last tournament, drawn in Group D alongside Benin, Rwanda, and Libya.