Coach Augustine Eguavoen has identified a critical issue affecting Victor Boniface’s performance in front of goal for the Super Eagles. While the striker has been in exceptional form for Bayer Leverkusen, displaying his goal-scoring prowess in the Bundesliga, he has yet to replicate this form for the Nigerian national team, despite making multiple appearances.
Following Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Libya in the 2025 AFCON qualifier held in Uyo, Eguavoen addressed Boniface’s recent struggles, pointing out his indecisiveness when it comes to taking shots on goal. According to the Super Eagles coach, this hesitation is allowing defenders to close him down, making it difficult for him to score.
“Boniface is an outstanding striker, known for his clinical finishing ability, but he has found it difficult to convert his chances while playing for the national team,” Eguavoen remarked during the post-match press conference. He explained that Boniface often overthinks his movements before pulling the trigger, which results in missed opportunities.
Eguavoen emphasized the need for Boniface to make quicker decisions in front of goal, recalling past instances where the striker’s hesitation cost him goals. “Sometimes, these opportunities don’t come often, and when they do, you need to act fast. I remember a similar situation in Rwanda, just like today. When players like Romario would get half chances, they would immediately toe-poke the ball into the net,” Eguavoen noted.
He further explained that Boniface’s tendency to take too much time on the ball allows defenders to regain their positioning, which significantly reduces his chances of scoring. “Boniface often wants to ‘dress’ the ball, meaning he wants to set it up perfectly before shooting, but in the process, defenders recover. If he can make up his mind faster, I believe Boniface will score plenty of goals,” Eguavoen added.
As the Super Eagles prepare for future fixtures, the pressure is mounting on Boniface, who has now gone without a goal in matches against Rwanda, Benin Republic, and Libya. Fans and pundits alike are eager to see the talented forward regain his scoring touch for the national team.