Victor Boniface started Bayer Leverkusen's DFB Cup game against Bundesliga 2 side SC Paderborn and continued with his goal-scoring form.
Listing Victor Boniface in the lineup against the second-tier side was a testament to how seriously Xabi Alonso took the game.
It was a strong lineup that filed out against Paderborn.
Die Werkself drew a hotly contested Bundesliga game over the weekend against Borussia Dortmund and needed a win against SC Paderborn to get the wind back in their sails.
With Bayern Munich hotly on the heels of Die Werkself, perhaps the DFB Cup is the only realistic title for the league leaders.
Victor Boniface, recently nominated for Dubai's Globe awards, opened the scoring against Paderborn as Bayer Leverkusen won the game 3-1.
Victor Boniface continues goal-scoring streak with a first-half goal
Was there any doubt that Victor Boniface would get on the scoresheet against the second-tier side? If there were doubts, the Super Eagles striker quickly dispelled them.
The game was barely a quarter of an hour in before the Nigerian struck. He collected a cute pass inside the box from Josip Stanisic in the 12th minute before slotting it past Pelle Boevink.
The goal marked his third goal in as many games following goals against BK Haecken in the Europa League and his equalizer against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
HE SCORES GOALS. 😮💨🇳🇬🦅
12' | 1-0 | #B04SCP | #Bayer04 #DFBPokal @boniface_jrn pic.twitter.com/gOLN6xXiAv
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 6, 2023
Victor Boniface was a busy bee against Paderborn and could have added an assist to his name, but Florian Wirtz shot wide after a solid pass from the Nigerian in the 31st minute.
Victor Boniface continued to be a threat to Paderborn. In the 40th minute, he thought he had an assist for Amine Adli, but the goal was chalked off for offside against the Nigerian.
The former Union SG striker was again caught offside in the 45th minute as he sought his second goal of the night.
It was a spirited first-half performance by Victor Boniface. Despite the efforts by the striker, he could not record a second goal or get an assist.
Victor Boniface – a man on fire
Victor Boniface continued from where he stopped in the first half as he continued to pepper the Paderborn defence.
He could have added to his tally in the first ten minutes of the second stanza.
In two second-half minutes, the Die Werkself forward saw three chances wasted.
He got his first chance in the 51st minute, but his right-footed shot was saved by Boevink.
That goal was for you, #Arthur 🖤❤️#B04SCP | #Bayer04 #DFBPokal @boniface_jrn pic.twitter.com/Zyn5JoSpAX
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 6, 2023
He was back on the prowl barely a minute later, but his header was inches off-target. Seconds later, he saw his goal-bound shot blocked to leave the scores at 2-0.
As the game wore on, the impact of Victor Boniface started to wane. It was only a matter of matter before the coach would substitute him.
The moment came in with 15 minutes of the game left to play, with the gaffer electing to bring on Patrik Schick.
Despite not getting his brace or an assist, the Super Eagles forward showed he was back on the upward rise.
Schick scored a late goal to give Die Wrkself a 3-1 win.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
