Eguavoen supports Boniface despite ongoing goal drought

 

Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has extended his goalless streak for Nigeria to seven matches, following his failure to score in the team’s 1-0 victory over Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

It has now been almost a year since Boniface last found the net for Nigeria, with his only international goal coming in a 2-2 friendly draw against Saudi Arabia on October 13, 2023. Since then, the striker has gone seven games without a goal, including matches against Mozambique, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe in World Cup qualifiers.

An adductor injury ruled him out of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, and he remained an unused substitute in Nigeria's World Cup qualifier against South Africa. Boniface also featured in the game against Benin Republic, playing for 40 minutes in Nigeria's 2-1 loss.

Despite a strong start to the 2024/25 season with Bayer Leverkusen, Boniface has struggled to carry that form into Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers, failing to score in matches against Rwanda and Libya. On Friday, his difficulties continued, as he failed to register a shot on target before being substituted in the 74th minute for Taiwo Awoniyi.

Interim coach Austin Eguavoen had backed Boniface before the game, expressing confidence that the striker would score if given the chance to start. Boniface will aim to end his goal drought when Nigeria faces Libya again on Tuesday at the Martyrs of February Stadium.