Former Flying Eagles coach Fatai Amoo has stated that coach Augustine Eguavoen needs to find a creative player to unlock Victor Boniface for Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
Boniface has struggled to find his feet since he made his Super Eagles debut in September 2023. The Bayer Leverkusen star has always had to play second-fiddle to Victor Osimhen, but he has had some chances to prove his mettle due to the latter’s incessant injuries.
Boniface has led the line for Nigeria in three consecutive games. But his performances have been below par. Last time out against Libya, the 23-year-old’s presence was not felt in the final third, and it was after he left the pitch that Nigeria scored.
Despite Boniface’s inability to find the net, Interim Super Eagles coach Eguavoen has always backed him, as he believes the Bayer Leverkusen star will soon start scoring goals aplenty.
Meanwhile, former Flying Eagles coach Amoo has proffered a solution to the current debacle concerning Boniface. He has urged Eguavoen to look for a creative player, who can carve out clear-cut chances that Boniface can score from.
“Our defence has some stability, but our biggest problem is the midfield in terms of creativity,” Amoo told Brila FM.
“People will keep asking for another Jay-Jay Okocha because that’s what we miss now. We might need a Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham or Martin Ødegaard type of player to solve our midfield problem.”
“When you have players who can destroy defenders with dribbling abilities, the likes of Ejuke (Chidera) if you could get them in other positions it will improve the team.
“Boniface who couldn’t operate yesterday how many opportunities was created for him? How many through passes were played in his path?”
Boniface will likely lead the line for Nigeria in the second leg against Libya on Tuesday. And Eguavoen has already revealed what he will tell the Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the fixture.
Nigerian fans will be hoping that Boniface finally get the monkeys off his back by scoring against the Mediterranean Knights.