Nigeria Players Abroad
Victor Boniface continues fine run of form with brace of assists for Bayer Leverkusen
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria forward, Victor Boniface continued his impressive form for Bayer Leverkusen as his side went five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga following a 3-2 win at Hoffenheim in German Bundesliga encounter on Sunday.
The Nigeria international’s brace of assists were instrumental in the tenth win in a row for Die Werkself.
Leverkusen wasted no time in trying to extend their unbeaten run in all competition to 14 matches when they took the lead after some intricate play between Florian Wirtz and Boniface in the ninth minute.
From wide on the left, Wirtz played the ball inside to the Nigerian, who got to the byline and cut it back to Wirtz who had continued his run into the area and steered the ball past goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
Die Werkself doubled Xavi Alonso’s side lead in the first half stoppage time with a simple yet effective corner routine
Jonas Hofmann played the ball along the floor to the waiting for Alex Grimaldo, who colly side-footed the ball into the top corner with his first touch.
Hoffenheim began the second half well. Hradecky’s clearance was intercepted by Anton Stach, whose long-range shot went over the head of the backtracking goalkeeper and into the net.
The comeback was complete two minutes later when Beier tested Hradecky from a distance.
His curling effort hit the post and rebounded perfectly into the path of Wout Weghorst, who tapped home.
Boniface had his header mistimed before keeping the ball in play and laid it back to Grimaldo who was lurking at the edge of the box.
With almost a carbon copy of his first goal, he sent another curling effort past Baumann to regain the lead for Bayer.
The win guaranteed a top spot for Bayer irrespective of the result between Bayern Munich and Dortmund later on Saturday.
