What you need to know about Victor Boniface; the rising 23-year-old Nigerian star hasn’t just set the Bundesliga on fire with his goal scoring exploits at Bayer Leverkusen.

Analysis shows he is one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe, dazzling among the talented under-23s.

He is not just a rising star; He is a comet in European football.

His combination of talent, dedication and positive attitude make him a player to watch, not just for Leverkusen, but for Europe as a whole.

He is a prime example of the exciting young talent emerging from Africa and his story is far from over

 

 

Victor Boniface background

Victor Okoh Boniface, born on December 23, 2000, is a Nigerian professional football player who serves as a forward and plays for the Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen Football Club.

Boniface was born in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, to Mr. and Mrs. Oko. He grew up in a military camp with his grandparents, embodying a simple upbringing in a disciplined environment.

Tragic loss of Victor

Victor’s life was not without its challenges. The tragic death of his mother had a profound impact on him, leading to a period of depression and a disconnect from football.

Victor’s football career was deeply influenced by his mother, Mrs Oko, who was his supporter until her tragic death in an accident.

The incident had a profound impact on Victor, causing him to take a break from football and go through a period of emotional turmoil.

Yet, driven by a desire to end his family’s suffering and poverty, he found the strength to return to the sport he loved. This period of personal struggle and subsequent recovery adds a deeper layer to his inspiring journey.

 

contour

Nigerian young forward Victor Boniface has shown extraordinary potential since he was a child. Known for his physical presence and goal-scoring ability, he quickly attracted the attention of international scouts

 

Professional Career rising

     Real Sapphire

Boniface’s journey to fame began on March 4, 2019 at Real Sapphire in Lagos, the nurturing ground of his undeniable talent.

His performance at this academy, coupled with the support of his family, paved the way for him to enter professional football.

His time in Lagos highlighted his exceptional skills, earning him numerous man-of-the-match awards and attracting attention from clubs outside Africa.

 

Bode/Glint

Unfortunately, just two weeks after joining Glimt, he was sidelined with a ligament injury, which cast doubt on his availability for the entire 2019 season.

Despite the setback, his talent was recognized when he was selected for the Nigeria U-20 national team for the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

He had to withdraw from the national team due to injury. However, he made his league debut for the club in September 2019, showing resilience and determination. He has since made a total of 43 appearances and scored 13 goals

 

United SG

In August 2022, Boniface signed a four-year contract with the Belgian Saint-Gillois United team, opening a new chapter in his career.

At the league level, he played 37 times and scored a total of 9 goals. His time in the league has been a phenomenal success, with the team reaching the quarter-finals of 2022-23 Europa League.

Boniface’s contribution was significant, scoring six times in the competition, including a memorable brace against Union Berlin in the last 16. Making him joint top scorer with Marcus Rashford.

Victor Boniface’s numbers in 2023 were so good and impressive that Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen decided to sign him.

The 22-year-old striker joined Leverkusen from Belgian club Saint-Gillois this season for a club-record transfer fee and has scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists in 51 games for the Belgian club.

 

Bayer Leverkusen

The next key moment in Boniface’s career came on July 22, 2023, when he made a high-profile move to Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.

He signed a contract that would keep him at the club until 2028. He made an immediate impact, making his Bundesliga debut.

He started in a thrilling 3–2 home win over RB Leipzig on 19 August and a week later, on 26 August, he showed off his goal scoring prowess by scoring twice in a 3–0 away derby win over Borussia Mönchengladbach at Mönchengladbach.

His first Bundesliga goal further solidified his status in the top flight in European football.

Since arriving at Bayer in the summer, his performance has been outstanding. On his debut, he scored once in the German Cup and once in the Bundesliga, before scoring two goals in each of his next two Bundesliga games.

 

Bundesliga Rookie of the Month

Later that month, Boniface won both the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month awards, making him only the second player in history to win this honor since Erling Haaland in January 2020.

He became the first player since Germany to win this honor. He won the September Rookie Award thanks to two goals against Heidenheim.

In Bayer’s 4-0 victory over Haken in the first game of the UEFA Nations League season, he continued his excellent performance, scoring one goal and assisting another.

He then continued Die Werkself’s fine start to the 2023-24 season with a brace in a 4-1 home win over Heidenheim.

With these two goals, Boniface has eight goals in his first five Bundesliga games: six goals and two assists.

 

International careers

Victor Boniface’s international career has seen him represent Nigeria at under-20 level, showcasing his talent and potential on the global stage.

His early inclusion in the national team bodes well for a bright future, suggesting he could eventually break into the national team and become a key figure in Nigeria’s international football.

His experience at under-20 level not only showcases his individual skill and dedication, but also demonstrates the national team’s recognition of his ability and potential impact at higher levels.

As he continues to develop as a player, he is expected to achieve further success in his international career and have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to Nigerian football on the world stage.

 

Awards won by Victor Boniface

Victor Boniface’s awards, which include victories and personal achievements. These awards won by Victor Boniface are the result of tireless dedication and underscore his impact in the field.

Here are some of Victor Boniface’s honors:

• Elite Competition: 2020, 2021
• Top scorer in Europa League: 2022/23
• Europa League Team of the Season: 2022/23
• Bundesliga Rookie of the Month: August 2023, September 2023, October 2023, November 2023
• Bundesliga Player of the Month: August 2023

 

   Victor Boniface personal life

Victor holds Nigerian nationality as he was born and raised in the West African country.

He also has a rich and interesting family background. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oko, played an important role in his life.

Victor is known for his energetic personality, which he attributes to his Capricorn zodiac sign.

He has a wide range of interests in sport, including motorsport. Despite his growing fame and fortune, he maintained a humble lifestyle.

 

Relationship life

This wouldn’t be a complete story if we didn’t talk about Victor Boniface’s family and his relationship   life. Victor Boniface has been with the beautiful Rikke Hermine for a long time.

He is in a relationship with Rikke Hermine Jensen, a model and influencer from Norway.

Rikke Hermine Jensen is a Norwegian model and influencer best known for being the girlfriend of Nigerian Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface.

Hermine is from Bodø, Norway, but currently lives in Lier, Belgium. Rikke Hermine was born on July 1, 2003.

As of September 2023, she is 20 years old, two years younger than her boyfriend. Rikke Hermine Jansen was a Christian and a Roman Catholic. She was confirmed in 2018.

Although Hermine lived in Hungary for seven years, she attended Naples American High School and moved to Naples, Italy in 2016 before attending Bodin High School and Maritime Academy.

It is understood that Rikke Hermine and Victor Boniface met in 2019 when the Nigerian forward was still playing for Norwegian league giants FK Bodø/Glimt.

 

 

 

 

Cultural background

 

Boniface is Yoruba and maintains close ties to his Nigerian roots.

Amid the speculation about the country of origin and nationality of Victor Boniface, it is necessary to clarify the facts. The young football prodigy is proudly from Nigeria.

His commitment to the game and unwavering dedication to representing his country cemented his identity as a proud Nigerian, making him a symbol of national pride.

As Super Eagles Stricker continues to progress at Bayer Leverkusen, his roots in Akure, Nigeria remain an integral part of his narrative.

From the bustling streets of his hometown to the majestic stadiums of international football, Boniface’s journey embodies the indomitable spirit of Nigerian football and his story is sure to inspire aspiring talents across the country.

 

 

His net worth

His annual salary at Leverkusen is approximately $2.3 million. Over the course of his career, Boniface accumulated approximately $309,000.

His contract with Leverkusen runs until 2028, which will boost his financial profile, with future earnings expected to be around $11.5 million.

His net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, making him among the highest-paid African players in the Bundesliga.

His career earnings, including salary and endorsements, underline his status as a top football talent

 

It may seem a little early to compare a new Bundesliga player to one of the league’s all-time greats, but hear us out.

Boniface is a center forward who can do a lot of different things. He has great feet, is strong in the air and is surprisingly good at passing the ball and is mobile and can get away from defenders with ease.