Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after it was confirmed that he will undergo surgery on his injured knee, ruling him out for several months, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Nigerian striker, who is currently on loan at Werder Bremen from Bayer Leverkusen, has been battling persistent knee pain, which forced him to seek specialist attention in Innsbruck. Boniface consulted renowned knee specialist Christian Fink, and after days of speculation surrounding his condition, a final decision was reached for surgical intervention. According to German tabloid Bild, the operation is scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Medical assessments conducted earlier by doctors from both Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen had already suggested that surgery was inevitable. However, further examinations carried out on Friday evening revealed cartilage damage in the knee, confirming the severity of the injury and effectively ending Boniface’s season. As a result, the 24-year-old will not feature again for Werder Bremen during the current campaign.
Werder Bremen’s head of professional football, Peter Niemeyer, welcomed the clarity surrounding the situation and confirmed that the club has accepted Boniface’s absence for the rest of the season. “We are pleased that we now have a solution and that Victor is undergoing surgery. This provides clarity for all parties involved. Given the rehabilitation process, we do not expect Victor to play for Werder this season,” Niemeyer said.
Although the striker is expected to be sidelined for at least a month during the initial recovery phase, his loan agreement with Werder Bremen will remain valid until the end of the season. The club will also not suffer any financial setback, as Boniface’s salary will be covered by the employers’ liability insurance association.
Despite this financial relief, the injury comes as a major blow to Werder Bremen, who had hoped Boniface would play a key role in their attacking setup. The development is also a disappointment for the player himself, especially given his recent struggles with injuries and the high expectations surrounding his move.
Details regarding Boniface’s rehabilitation plan are yet to be finalised, but it has been confirmed that his recovery will not take place in Bremen. Reports also indicate that his locker in the Werder Bremen dressing room will be cleared, further underlining the reality that his time on the pitch this season has come to an abrupt end.
The setback adds to a challenging period for Boniface, who will now shift focus fully to recovery, with the hope of returning stronger ahead of the next campaign for both club and country.