Werder Bremen forward Victor Boniface has become a household name in European football, but his journey with the Nigerian Super Eagles has been a puzzling paradox. Despite his relentless goal scoring exploits abroad, Boniface has struggled to translate that form to the national team pitch, a challenge he attributes to misfortune and a situation where, in his own words, “only God knows why.”
In a candid interview with respected sports journalist Oma Akatugba, the powerful striker peeled back the layers on his current goal-scoring struggles with Nigeria, revealing a mix of frustration and unwavering national pride.
Acknowledging the Unlucky Streak
Boniface, known for his physicality, skill, and prolific scoring in the Bundesliga, admitted that the luck that often accompanies a clinical finisher has eluded him while wearing the green and white jersey.
“I would just say I’ve been unlucky with the national team when it comes to goal scoring,” he stated. “I know there are few games where I did well, but scoring goals is the most important thing for a striker in football today.”
The acceptance also highlights the immense pressure placed on the striker, where “doing well” in terms of hold-up play, creating chances, or linking the midfield is often overshadowed by the final metric: goals scored. While he has impressed with his all-around contribution, the crucial goals have yet to materialize, leading to public debate among Nigerian football fans.
Perhaps the most potent critique offered by Boniface was directed at the modern football fan’s reliance on statistics over actual performance analysis. He lamented how this culture instantly judges a player’s worth based solely on numbers.
“People don’t watch football anymore; they only rely and check online scores,” Boniface observed. “If you score, they think you’re Robinho. They don’t actually watch the games.”
This situation speaks to a broader challenge facing players globally. A goal-less performance is often automatically deemed a failure, regardless of a striker’s defensive work rate, successful dribbles, or pre-assist contributions that might have been vital to the team’s overall strategy. Boniface’s point is clear: performances on the pitch are more nuanced than a quick check of a match tracker suggests.
Despite the goal drought and the accompanying public scrutiny, Boniface was clear that his commitment and pride in representing Nigeria remain undiminished. He emphasized that achieving the honour of playing for the Super Eagles was the realization of a lifelong dream.
“My biggest dream as a footballer was to represent my country, which I have achieved, and I’m grateful for it,” he concluded, reflecting on his journey from grassroots football to the international stage.
While the results in front of goal haven’t matched his personal expectations or the fans’ hopes, the striker maintains a philosophical approach to the current situation. “It just didn’t work out with the national team, and God knows why. But I’m happy I represented Nigeria, my country.”
Boniface’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of international football. A player can dominate club football, yet face an inexplicable struggle on the national stage. As Super Eagles coaches continue to build a formidable squad, fans will be hopeful that Boniface’s luck will soon turn, allowing his prolific club form to finally ignite on the international stage.
