Victor Boniface maintains Bundesliga scoring form as Bayer Leverkusen makes history

Nigeria international,  Victor Boniface has continued his impressive goal-scoring form for Bayer Leverkusen with the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) around the corner.

The Super Eagles star started from the bench as Xabi Alonso rested some key members of his squad following a 4-0 defeat of Bochum at the BayArena on Wednesday.

Alonso is preparing for life during AFCON as he rested the Nigerian alongside some other African stars, who are set to miss up to five Bundesliga matches, due to the tournament slated for Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 10.

However, his men were comfortable and convincing on the night as Patrik Schick scored his first Bundesliga goal in 304 days and his first hat trick in over two years.

Schick proved he is ready to be Boniface’s replacement with a 16th-minute hat-trick in his first start of the season.

The 27-year-old opened the scoring from the spot kick after he was fouled by the visiting goalkeepers and went to add two more goals.

Boniface was introduced in the 67th minute to replace hat trick hero, Schick, and he needed just two minutes to join the party and wrap up the goal deluge.

With the win, Bayer Leverkusen have now extended their unbeaten run to an unprecedented 25 matches, the longest run ever in German football history.

They have now won 23 of their 25 matches across competitions, registered 3 draws, and scored 81 goals while conceding just 18 with 11 clean sheets.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian goal poacher is responsible for 16 goals and 8 assists as Leverkusen sits top of the Bundesliga table and top of their UEFA Europa League group.