Another FIFA window is here and various national teams are back in the trenches for international engagements. The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be equally busy with ties against the Republic of Benin and Rwanda in Abidjan and Uyo respectively.
Interim Manager Austin Eguavoen has already announced his squad, which, as usual, is dominated by foreign based players. Eguavoen was also generous as he named a few home stars in the squad; whether they will be used or not is another thing.
Nigeria is blessed with about the most talented squad in the continent, but the results of late have not been commensurate with the amount of talent at the country’s disposal. Ironically, despite parading a high profile fearsome attacking personnel in Africa and world football, the Super Eagles struggle to score goals in most of the matches they play. Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze among others form the monster line up of attackers in the Super Eagles fold.
With the exception of Napoli loanee Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman of Atalanta, the Super Eagles attack is lame and mysteriously lethargic. Most worrisome is the ineffectiveness of Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface who scores for the club with careless abandon but has failed to replicate his club form in the national team. In recent matches, it is Lazio attacking midfielder Dele-Bashiru that has been coming to the rescue. He scored the winner against Libya in Uyo.
After nine caps, Boniface only has two goals to show. His international maiden goal was against Sao Tome & Principe when Nigeria routed the small Island country 6-0 in a 2023 AFCON Qualifier. Boniface’s second international goal was in Nigeria’s 2-2 draw in a friendly against Saudi Arabia, also in October 2023.
Former Nigeria international Ogenyi Onazi recently spoke on the problems of Victor Boniface in the Super Eagles and why the forward has not been able to score for the Eagles as he does for his German club.
He said,” in our country whatever you say, people will interpret it differently. Whatever I say on this issue is my personal opinion and the way I feel about it.
“For me, as we all know, right now, we have the most talented national team, the best we have had in a long while and they ought to do so well. Unfortunately, things are not going the way they are supposed to.”
Speaking specifically on Victor Boniface goal drought in the national team he said, “Victor Boniface is an amazing player. The national team and clubside are two completely different things entirely. In the clubside, Boniface has players who are conversant with his style of play. They see themselves every day, even more than they see their girlfriends or family members. So they blend every day. If he doesn’t score in the clubside then one needs to ask questions.”
Onazi said the national team is different. “In the national team, when they come, under three days they play a match. So how do you expect them to blend well enough or understand themselves to give their best?
Why is Osimhen scoring?
“You may ask, why do other players like Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman score for both club and country? It is because of the reason I started with; the national team is different from the clubside. There are some people who are cut for the national team and can do it anywhere, any day. They have different characteristics. While Victor Boniface is a nice finisher, Osimhen is rugged and can be described as a one man riot squad.
“For the kind of players we have up front(in the attack): like Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon or Samuel Chukwueze; these are the kind of players who hold onto the ball, dribble, cut in and shoot… very different from his colleagues at Leverkusen who know where he is running to and can release the ball to him without looking. These are the characteristics and things we need to know why he is not scoring for the national team.
Hard worker
“In the national team, Victor works so hard that sometimes he drops deep to collect the ball so that he is not left isolated up front without the ball. I think our midfield players need to really do more to help him. For me basically, when I was playing(I’m still playing, though), whenever I get the ball my first option is always the striker. When I am playing I always tell you(striker) to make the move because you are my first option. It is only when I look at you and realize you are not ready then I start to look at other options. This is my personal opinion.”
https://www.brila.net/midfielders-responsible-for-bonifaces-sup
He agreed that Victor Boniface is a very good player. “A fantastic player.” he said
Another former international, Ifeanyi Udeze, who hosted Onazi on his early morning programme on Sport Radio Brila fm echoed, “The national team lacks a good playmaker who can send passes that can result in goals; simple, defence-splitting passes that can create g
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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