Victor Boniface recounts horrible Africa Cup of Nations injury-forcing out history

Nigeria star, Victor Boniface has revealed the gruesome injury history that almost forced him to quit football.

The red-hot Bayer Leverkusen striker is currently sidelined after suffering a muscle tendon groin on international duty with the Nigeria team in preparation for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Reacting to his injury, Boniface recounted his ordeal referencing how he missed the U20 Africa Cup of Nations due to injury and now ruled out of his maiden senior Africa Cup of Nations.

He suffered an extremely gruesome injury that affected his career and mental health and almost forced him into an early retirement and the 23-year-old reflected on her horrible history with the continent’s competition.

“We won the league (with Glimt), and after that, we traveled back to Bodo. We went to the stadium, partying, drinking, everything,” Boniface said on the latest episode of the Obi One Podcast by Mikel John Obi.

“I went home. Before this, I was linked to Club Brugge in Belgium, and we agreed on a deal. I wanted to just finish the season and travel to Belgium for the deal.

“After the party, I went to bed, my leg was so swollen, I thought it was nothing serious. Maybe just swollen from a past injury. I went to the training ground to see the doctor the next day, we went to do an MRI scan. When I saw the doctor, he told me something bad happened and I tore my ACL again.

“It was hell. I spoke to the coach, I said I wanted to go back to Nigeria. I traveled. It was the worst.

“During this time, I’m the only child of my mum, I lost my mum during this process also. I had an injury, I was waiting for a big transfer to Belgium. My head was gone, to be honest. I started doing crazy stuff. I was thinking what shall I do after football? I’ve had two ACLs. It was so terrible for me.

“They said I had to do surgery, but may not need it for a few months. It was 14 months in total. I almost give up. I traveled to Spain with the team for pre-season camp, we were sitting outside… I was like f*ck my life. To be honest I was going through it. I had my surgery, I kept believing in God, and I kept training.

“After 5 months we played the Conference League vs AS Roma, 45 minutes before the game I was in the VIP section, walking around to get something to eat.

“I received a call from my agent… he said to me ‘I want to let you know some clubs saw you, they were asking me what your situation from your injury’ – that gave me confidence, I said, ‘OK, I will play for 6 months and it’s coming soon’.”

“My mentality changed. If I’m injured and people are thinking about me, what happens when I’m back?,” he continued.

“I trained hard to come back. An offer came, and I left for Belgium (for Union SG). During this time, the whole team was there for me. In general, Norwegian people are top. They take care of foreign players in general.”