LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian forward Victor Boniface said he’s been “unlucky” in front of goal for the Super Eagles, attributing his lack of scoring to misfortune rather than poor form.
Boniface, who has scored once in 13 appearances for Nigeria, made the comments during a media session organized by the Bundesliga and in an interview with Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba. His only goal came in a lopsided win against São Tomé and Príncipe.
“I’ve been unlucky with goals for the Super Eagles,” Boniface said. “I know I haven’t shown my best yet, but I’m proud to represent my country.”
The striker, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga, has faced criticism from fans and analysts over his performances. Some have questioned his tactical discipline and ability to convert chances in key matches.
Boniface pushed back against what he called “shallow” analysis based solely on match statistics. “Some people just look at live scores and think they know everything,” he said. “Football is more than that.”
His remarks come as Nigeria prepares for the 2026 World Cup playoff and AFCON 2025, with the squad set to face Gabon, DR Congo and Cameroon later this month. Boniface is expected to be part of the team traveling to Morocco for the qualifiers.
Former Nigerian international Garba Lawal responded to Boniface’s remarks, saying the striker needs to “focus less on luck and more on positioning.” Lawal added that the national team requires clinical finishing, especially in high-stakes matches.
On social media, fans expressed both support and frustration. “Boniface is a great talent, but we need goals, not excuses,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another replied, “He’s being honest. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t fall your way.”
Sports analyst Bimbo Adeoye defended Boniface, citing his strong club form in Germany. “He’s one of the most promising forwards we have. The goals will come,” Adeoye said during a segment on SuperSport.
Despite the scrutiny, Boniface said he remains committed to the national team and believes his form will improve. “A few poor games don’t define me,” he said. “I’m still growing, and I’ll keep working hard.”
