Boniface could have Altered Nigeria's AFCON fate, Says former coach Peseiro

Former Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, laments the absence of Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, who he believes could have been a game-changer at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Boniface, 23, sustained an injury during the team's training camp in Abu Dhabi, causing him to miss the tournament where Nigeria reached the final.

Peseiro had envisioned a strategic partnership between Boniface and Victor Osimhen upfront.

Despite his departure from the Super Eagles due to contract negotiations, Peseiro remains convinced that Nigeria could have clinched the AFCON trophy if Boniface had been fit to play.

”I will say that Boniface would have made the difference without injury,” he said in an interview in Portugal.

“He was very confident and can play comfortably in our two-man attacking style. He can also play on both sides of the strikers and that would have made him our invisible arc in the tournament.

“Our options to refine our style were limited in his absence.”

While Peseiro only stayed with the Super Eagles for 22 months. Boniface is expected to return to playing before the end of the month.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun