Austin Eguavoen has revealed that he has had discussions with Victor Boniface over his struggles in the Super Eagles.
Boniface, once again, failed to justify his inclusion in the Super Eagles after firing blanks in the 2-1 defeat to game Rwanda in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers on Monday.
The Bayer Leverkusen striker was given the nod to lead the attack against the Amavubi but failed to deliver.
Since making his debut on 10 September 2023, Boniface has failed to score in 11 games for the Eagles.
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Following his unimpressive showing again, he was replaced in the 89th minute by Umar Sadiq.
Commenting about concerns over Boniface’s continued struggles in the Super Eagles Eguavoen said in his post-match presser that the Bundesliga winner is still a part of the team.
“We all know what Boniface is capable of doing, especially in his club, and when he comes back here, we give him a lot of confidence, a lot of playing time but he is not hitting the back of the net for whatever reason.
“I have spoken with him; I’m somebody who always gives players confidence. I’ve done enough but he is still part of the squad, he will remain part of the squad.”
9 Comments
Not only Boniface, Awoyini, Onuachu and Sadiq are also in that Category.Wasted spaces in SE. They have all failed to take advantage of the opportunity to deputies Osihmen for years.It is therefore pertinent and natural to give other players a chance to try their luck . Akpom , Maja, Akorodare, Orban , Desseers are all eligible and ready. They deserve a chance to stake a claim . Pls let the door be thrown open until we discover a worthy deputy to Osihmen otherwise lets forget worldcup. Im sure im speaking the mind of all worthy SE fans. NFF pls do the needful
God bless you
Not only Boniface, Awoyini, Onuachu and Sadiq are also in that Category.Wasted spaces in SE. They have all failed to take advantage of the opportunity to deputies Osihmen for years.It is therefore pertinent and natural to give other players a chance to try their luck . Akpom , Maja, Akorodare, Orban , Desseers are all eligible and ready. They deserve a chance to stake a claim . Pls let the door be thrown open until we discover a worthy deputy to Osihmen otherwise lets forget worldcup. Im sure im speaking the mind of all worthy SE fans. NFF pls do the needful
A good coach will ask the guy what he needs to be scoring goals and the coach will include the kind of players that can make him function the way he is doing in his club. We all know that Boniface is not like Osimhen that can struggle for ball at midfield and still single handedly scores the ball. Boniface need players that will supply him balls to score in front of goal. Instead of inviting sadiq and Ihanachor to the camp, I was expecting the coach to invite two players that can feed Boniface with ball like the way it’s done in his club. Nigeria is loaded with talented players across the world.
The coach should look at the attributes of the two key players that are assisting him in his club and includes such players in Super Eagles. Presently, Super Eagles can’t win match without Osimhen and Lukman. Coach should do something about this situation.
I am totally agree and expected alot players. Boniface issue results from under rated midfield players. Also many players already have use all their chance we need new players. Nigeria National twam is not football club no place for players not dilever his best form or not able to score!
Yeah! Fine & good. The discussion with Boni is ok but think there was an unannounced mutuality in between with, the understanding that we have already qualified on on side. On the other, the match in view is inconsequential. It became clearer when S.E management fielded a team populated with 2nd eleven players. Frankly, there were some wins in the game. For once and possibly in a long while, Chukwueze scored in S.E. colors; a day Boni was given a full role to marshall the attack, though he faulted. Okoye, though another flop had a chance to show himself but that didn’t come. I think some people stupidly were expecting the boys to win the match, that’s okay, but what does winning a dead rubber game really brings? Nothing! You put lookman or Osimhen on the pitch in a match that’s a dead rubber, you break there legs wrongfully. You don’t risk asset. Which coach does that? That certainly a stupid coach, novice.
Did you really read again what you wrote? Is there any dead rubber fixtures for the likes of Senegal and Morocco who won all their 6 qualifiers home and away? Should Nigeria be different and lose at home of all places?
Against an opponent we are playing next currently topping our world cup group and 90 places below us in FIFA rankings?
Does it make sense that other “big” teams are moving from strength to strength and we are retrogressing?
If we did not win one away match in the qualifiers, how can we expect to win 3 away games in the world cup qualifiers next year? We kuku no dey invisible at home and you are saying inconsequential or dead rubber.
“You don’t risk asset” for the last international match of the year to sign off the year well in front of your own fans! Tell that to the Marines. You know the height of confidence Rwanda has now, over us abi. A team topping the WC group. Dey play
Who cares? Beat, we go still beat them.