There have been some excellent performing Nigerian forwards this season in Europe’s top leagues, and we take a deeper look and identified who had the most successful campaign.
It is clear to see the rise Nigerian football, with a haul of players performing at the highest level across the top European leagues and competitions, which puts the national team in great stead for years to come. The forward options of Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman just to name a few, rank among some of the best to come out of Nigeria this century.
There is some important fixtures coming up for the Super Eagles as they battle it out in the World Cup qualifiers, so it will be interesting to see what attacking players are selected for those upcoming matches.
Who’s been the number one performing Nigerian forward this season?
Victor Boniface
23-years-old
Bayer Leverkusen
Stats for 2023/24
Boniface has missed periods of the 2023/24 campaign due to injury but has still produced excellent numbers which has led him to be Leverkusen’s top goal scorer and has the seventh most goals in the Bundesliga.
The Super Eagles forward has an astonishing 29 goal contributions in 31 games in all competitions for Leverkusen, including five goals in four games in the UEFA Europa League. He has 13 league goals and 20 in all competitions to his name this season.
The 23-year-old has averaged a goal every 115 minutes in the Bundesliga this term and is also has the joint 10th most assists in the league, despite featuring just 22 times.
Success with Leverkusen
Victor Boniface has been in superb form this term for Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, which played a huge role in their league title triumph where they are just one game away from completing an unbeaten campaign.
The German champions also find themselves in the final of the Europa League, and when Boniface has been fit, he has been crucial in this superb run so could play a major role in the final against Atalanta.
International promise
Boniface made his Super Eagles debut in 2023, and a mix of injuries and being second pick behind talisman Victor Osimhen has led to him making just five appearances for his country.
With the staggering form of the 23-year-old this term, it would be greatly beneficial if there could be a way to play both Boniface and Osimhen, who could form a formidable partnership to guide the Super Eagles to great success in years to come.
Future at club level
The impressive form of Boniface has led to speculation over his future at Leverkusen, with some of the top clubs in Europe playing in the UEFA Champions League keen on breaking the bank to lure him away from his current side.
However, with Champions League football confirmed for next term, Boniface might be keen to stay with the German side where he in great form and knows his playing time is cemented, rather than him taking a risk with a big money move.
Do you agree that Boniface has been the best performing Nigerian forward this season? Comment below!
Boniface first goalscorer for Leverkusen vs Augsburg: 4.40
