Super Eagles head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has reaffirmed his continuous support for striker Victor Boniface, despite the forward’s ongoing problems to duplicate his club form with the national side.
Speaking during a media engagement following the Rwanda clash on Monday, Eguavoen conceded that Boniface’s underperformance has been a bone of annoyance but insisted that the player remains a vital part of his plans.
The Super Eagles lost 2-1 against Rwanda on Monday, bringing their Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers to an end.
The match, which took place on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, demonstrated the resilience of the underdog as the Rwandan team fought from behind to win.
However, Nigeria had already qualified for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, finishing first in its group with 11 points.
When asked about Boniface’s difficulties in adapting to the Super Eagles team, Eguavoen acknowledged the challenges.
“Yes, good question. Boniface is capable of great things, especially in his club. When he comes here, we try to give him a lot of confidence and playing time,” he said.
However, the coach mentioned that despite his efforts, the striker has yet to find the back of the net consistently.
Eguavoen added that he has personally spoken with Boniface several times to boost his confidence, which he believes is critical to a player’s performance.
“I’m somebody who wants to give players confidence. I’ve done enough, but for whatever reason, he’s still not clicking with the team,” he said.
Fans have taken note of Boniface’s troubles, drawing analogies to Victor Osimhen, who has a close bond with supporters.
When questioned if the striker would be called up again for the next international break, Eguavoen reaffirmed Boniface’s future with the team.
“He’s still part of the squad. He will remain part of the squad,” Eguavoen stated.
22-year-old Boniface, who has been pivotal at the club level, has yet to find the back of the net for Nigeria since his debut in September 2023 after 11 appearances.
