Victor Boniface’s goal not enough as Holstein Kiel hold Bayer Leverkusen

By Monsurah Olatunji 

Nigeria international Victor Boniface was on the scoresheet as Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title defence suffered another setback with a 2-2 draw against Holstein Kiel at the BayArena on Saturday.

Leverkusen made a bright start, with Boniface opening the scoring just four minutes into the match. The 23-year-old Nigerian forward calmly slotted home from a tight angle after a powerful break forward by Exequiel Palacios.

The goal marked Boniface’s second in as many games, following his decisive strike in Leverkusen’s UEFA Champions League victory over AC Milan earlier in the week.

The hosts appeared to be in control early on, with Jonas Hofmann doubling their lead just eight minutes later, but VAR ruled out what would have been Boniface’s second goal of the game.

Holstein Kiel, however, mounted a remarkable comeback. Max Geschwill pulled one back for the visitors from a corner just before halftime, and the newly promoted side equalized after the break with a penalty, securing a valuable point on the road.

This result extends Holstein Kiel’s winless start to the Bundesliga season, making them the first Bundesliga debutant in 13 years to go six matches without a victory.

For Leverkusen, the draw marks another frustrating result in what has been a challenging start to the campaign. They slip to fifth place in the Bundesliga standings, now two points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

This also represents their worst opening to a Bundesliga season since the 2012/13 campaign, when Borussia Dortmund experienced a similar struggle.

With Boniface in fine form, the pressure remains on Xabi Alonso’s side to regroup and find consistency as they continue their title defence.