National Teams
Efe Ambrose frowns against Victor Osimhen-Boniface partnership
By Monsurah Olatunji
Former Nigeria star, Efe Ambrose has frowned against the partnership of Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface in the national team.
The two Victors are two of the best strikers in European football this season, with the Boniface leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga title.
Although, the two players have played together for the national team once as Boniface only made his Super Eagles bow last year but later missed the 2023 AFCON due to injury.
Boniface has 18 goals and 10 assists in 27 games for Bayer Leverkusen while Osimhen has 15 goals and four assists in the same number of games.
However, Ambrose has advised against pairing them upfront when they take on South Africa in their next World Cup qualifier as the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner believes the duo will be a disaster when used together.
“Two good players playing in two different teams with different formations is different from playing in the same team with a different formation,” Ambrose told OwnGoalNigeria.
“They are both point man at their clubs, so having both play for Nigeria will mean one playing out of position or one dropping to the bench.
“Boniface plays in a formation where he is at the peak of the attack to receive the passes, just like Osimhen at Napoli.
“Playing both in a 4-4-2 formation looks good on paper, but they could be a problem of players running into each other’s space in the box.”
It now remains to be seen if the next appointed Super Eagles coach will take Ambrose’s advice and decide against starting both players together when the team regroups against South Africa in June.
