Victoria Mbangwa
Super Eagles head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has publicly reiterated his belief in striker Victor Boniface, despite the player’s ongoing difficulty in translating his impressive club form to the national team.
Eguavoen addressed Boniface’s struggles following Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Rwanda on Monday, stressing that the forward remains an important part of his plans for the Super Eagles.
Despite Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after topping Group D, the team’s defeat to Rwanda in Uyo raised some concerns.
Boniface, who has been in superb form for his club, continued to face challenges in finding his rhythm with the national team, failing to score in 11 appearances since his debut in September 2023.
Speaking after the match, Eguavoen acknowledged the frustration around Boniface’s performance, but remained steadfast in his support for the 22-year-old.
He said, “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.”
The coach, who has had multiple conversations with the striker to boost his confidence, emphasized the importance of patience and continued belief in the player’s potential.
“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,”Eguavoen said.
