One goal behind Harry Kane! Victor Boniface on fire in Germany

One goal behind Harry Kane! Victor Boniface on fire in Germany
Credit: Icon Sport

The Bundesliga has always been a hotbed for footballing talent, and in the current 2023/24 season, one name that's been making waves is Victor Boniface.

The 22-year-old Nigeria forward has set the German football scene ablaze with his incredible goal-scoring prowess, earning him a spot among the league's top goal-scorers.

With six goals already to his name, Boniface finds himself in the third position on the league's scorer list, trailing only behind England captain Harry Kane and VfB Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy.

Victor Boniface: A statistical marvel

Victor Boniface
Photo by Icon Sport

What makes Boniface's meteoric rise all the more impressive is not just his goal-scoring ability but also his overall contribution to his team, Bayer Leverkusen.

Currently, he boasts two assists, tying for the second-most in his team alongside Jonas Hofmann, Alejandro Grimaldo, Exequiel Palacios, and Florian Wirtz.

However, when you delve deeper into the statistics, Boniface's true impact becomes evident.

Boniface has taken an astonishing 38 shots at goal, a number that ranks him as the best player in this category in the league's statistics.

His accuracy in passing, with four passes leading to a shot, puts him at seventh place within his team's statistics, alongside Odilon Kossounou.

This proficiency in both scoring and creating opportunities makes him a versatile asset for Leverkusen.

Victor Boniface 2023/24 stats so far

ATTACK
Goals 6
Assists 2
Shots 38
Shots against post and bar 0
Penalties 1
Penalties scored 1

These statistics highlight his impressive goal-scoring ability, his role in creating opportunities for his team, and his penalty-taking proficiency.

TEAM PLAY
Appearances 5
Sprints 79
Intensive runs 270
Distance (km) 47.3
Speed (km/h) 32.21
Passes completed 76
Own-goals 0
Crosses 1

These statistics provide insights into his overall contribution to the team, including his work rate, physical performance, passing accuracy, and other key attributes.

Consistency in starting line-up

One remarkable aspect of Boniface's performance this season is his consistency. He has been in the starting line-up for all five games of the season.

Out of these, he has played a pivotal role in helping his club win four, highlighting his importance to the team's success.

Tackling prowess

While Boniface's primary role is as a forward, he isn't shy about contributing defensively.

He has engaged in 60 tackling duels and emerged victorious in many of them, a feat that places him alongside top defenders like Amos Pieper (SV Werder Bremen) and Jeff Chabot (1. FC Köln).

His ability to win these duels showcases his commitment to offensively and defensively helping his team.

Leverkusen's Victor Boniface scores to 3:0.
Credit: Icon Sport

Last game heroics

The Nigerian forward's last game, played on the fifth matchday of the 2023/24 season against 1. FC Heidenheim 1846, was nothing short of spectacular.

Leverkusen secured a resounding 4-1 victory, and Boniface played a pivotal role in this triumph.

As a forward, he spent 85 minutes on the pitch and scored two crucial goals. What's more, he took a whopping nine shots at the opponent's goal, the highest among all players in the game.

His 45 individual ball possessions and 19 successful tackle challenges underline his exceptional work rate.

Victor Boniface history

Victor Boniface (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) looks on during the UEFA Europa League Group stage
Credit: Icon Sport

Born on 23 December 2000 in Akure, Nigeria, Boniface has embarked on an exciting journey in the world of football.

He began his professional career with Real Sapphire FC in 2018 and made a significant leap to FK Bodö/Glimt in 2019, where he honed his skills further.

His journey continued with Royale Union St. Gilloise in 2022, and in 2023, he joined Bayer 04 Leverkusen, where he is currently setting the Bundesliga alight with his performances.

Victor Boniface's remarkable rise in the Bundesliga is a testament to his talent, work ethic, and dedication to the sport.

As he continues to shine on the pitch, he's making a name for himself and contributing significantly to Leverkusen's success.

With his scoring prowess, playmaking ability, and defensive commitment, Boniface is undoubtedly one of the most exciting prospects to watch in German football.

As the season progresses, football fans can expect even more fireworks from this young Nigerian sensation as he aims to close in on the league's top goal scorers and help his team achieve their goals.

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Rababe Koussaimi, a 22-year-old journalist, is deeply passionate about the world of sports. She grew up in a footballing environment, supporting both Bayern Munich and Wydad Athletic Club. She began her English journalism career by hosting a podcast for the first English radio station in Morocco. Currently, the Moroccan journalist channels her enthusiasm into writing and conducting extensive research, creating insightful and engaging content for GoalBall Live readers.