How Victor Boniface stole the show to be named Nigeria’s star of the week
It was a remarkable weekend for Super Eagles and Nigerian stars plying their trade across Europe, with standout performances that included goals, assists, and key contributions. Nigerian players delivered stunning displays in various top leagues, with Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Osimhen leading the charge.
For the weekend of September 13-15, 2024, Victor Boniface is SportsRation‘ ‘STAR OF THE WEEK’. His brace for Bayer Leverkusen stands out among Nigerian stars in Europe’s topflight leagues.
How Victor Boniface Stole the Show
Victor Boniface stole the headlines as the 23-year-old forward played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
Boniface, who had a quiet international break during Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 qualifiers, returned to club football in style. He scored two goals and provided an assist, securing the Man of the Match award in what was a dominant performance for his team.
His electric pace, clinical finishing, and sharp playmaking were on full display, reaffirming his status as one of the top talents in German football. Star of the week.
Ademola Lookman Kicks Off the Season in Style
Ademola Lookman made his first appearance for Atalanta this season after a busy summer transfer window, and he wasted no time making an impact. Lookman scored one goal and provided an assist in Atalanta’s thrilling 3-2 comeback win against Fiorentina in Serie A. His performance showed glimpses of the form that saw him shine for Nigeria during the AFCON qualifiers, and he looks poised to be a key player for Atalanta once again this season.
Victor Osimhen Makes His Mark in Turkey
While the AFCON break kept Osimhen away from scoring for Nigeria, the Super Eagles striker announced himself in Turkey with Galatasaray. Osimhen provided a crucial assist in Galatasaray’s 5-0 demolition of Rizespor. Though he didn’t find the net, his off-the-ball movement and creative play were instrumental in the win, and it won’t be long before he starts scoring in Turkey.
Wilfred Ndidi Transforms Into a Playmaker
In the Premier League, Wilfred Ndidi was the star for Leicester City in their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. Reinventing himself as a playmaker, Ndidi provided two assists and created the most chances (four) in the game.
His ability to unlock the defense and dictate play from midfield shows his evolution into a more complete midfielder, and his display was a major talking point for the weekend.
Collins Sor and Toluwase Arokodare Light Up Belgium
Belgium was another hotspot for Nigerian stars, as Collins Sor and Toluwase Arokodare delivered an outstanding performance for Genk.
Sor scored once and assisted two goals, one of which was for his Nigerian teammate Arokodare. Arokodare now boasts five goals in just six appearances, making him one of the most in-form Nigerian strikers in Europe this season.
Ola Aina Shuts Down Liverpool
At Anfield, Ola Aina delivered a defensive masterclass for Nottingham Forest in their shock 1-0 victory over Liverpool. Aina played a crucial role in keeping a clean sheet, earning him rave reviews and a perfect 10/10 rating for his performance.
Other Notable Performances
- Moses Simon picked up an assist for Nantes in Ligue 1, although his side lost.
- Frank Onyeka made a brilliant start in the Bundesliga with an assist for Augsburg.
- Cyriel Dessers added an assist in Italy, while Josh Maja continued his impressive goal-scoring form for West Brom in the Championship.
- Tom Dele-Bashiru netted his first goal of the season for Watford in a 1-1 draw with Coventry.
Player of the Week: Victor Boniface
SportsRation’s Nsikakabasi Akpan Comments On the Stars
On Victor Boniface: “Boniface was an absolute beast for Bayer Leverkusen this weekend. His strength, pace, and composure in front of goal were simply world-class. He is a real asset for Leverkusen, and it’s clear that his potential is sky-high. What a performance!”
On Ademola Lookman: “Lookman’s flair and creativity were on full display for Atalanta. After a successful international break, he’s brought that same energy and precision to his club, and it’s exciting to see him back to his best. That assist was pure magic!”
On Victor Osimhen: “Even without scoring, Osimhen’s presence in Galatasaray’s attack is undeniable. His assist was top-notch, and his ability to contribute in multiple ways will make him an invaluable player in Turkey this season.”
On Wilfred Ndidi: “Ndidi’s transformation into a playmaker is something to behold. His vision and passing were exceptional against Crystal Palace, and it’s great to see him stepping into a more attacking role. What a game!”
On Collins Sor and Toluwase Arokodare: “Sor and Arokodare were unstoppable for Genk. These two Nigerians are forming a formidable partnership in Belgium, and their chemistry on the pitch is a joy to watch. The future is bright for these two!”
On Ola Aina: “Aina was a brick wall for Nottingham Forest at Anfield. To go to Liverpool and come away with a clean sheet shows how solid he was defensively. A 10/10 performance in every sense!”
