Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has ended a 16-month goal drought in dramatic fashion, scoring twice in four minutes as Bayer Leverkusen thrashed fifth-tier side Sportfreunde Baumberg 7-0 in a pre-season friendly, before following it up with further impressive performances in the weeks since.
It was Boniface's first goal for Leverkusen since March 2025, capping an injury-ravaged spell that included a difficult loan season at Werder Bremen, where he managed just 11 appearances and no goals. His market value has fallen sharply from around €40 million at its peak to roughly €5 million amid the fitness struggles, and two potential moves, to Saudi Arabia and to a Serie A club, both collapsed over concerns about his knee.
"Of course, I'm happy to be training again, playing again, and doing what I love again," Boniface said after the Baumberg match. "It's been a difficult year for me. It's a good feeling to be back."
New Leverkusen head coach Carles Martínez has been careful not to rush the 25-year-old, saying the priority remains rebuilding him physically before results. In a further pre-season outing against Kickers Offenbach, Boniface again impressed, this time in a creative role, setting up two goals in a 3-1 win. Sporting director Simon Rolfes described the striker's recent form as "an encouraging step" following what he called "a really difficult year overall," while stressing that more time is still needed before Boniface returns to his previous level. He remains under contract at Leverkusen until June 2028.