Overlooked by Peseiro, Victor Boniface named in UEFA Europa League Best XI
Union Saint-Gilloise striker named in Team of the Tournament
Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has been named in the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season after his exploits in the competition with his Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise.
Former Bodo/Glimt forward Boniface had an impressive campaign in the competition with the modest side as he helped them reach the quarterfinals of the tournament before they bowed out at the hands of German giants Bayer Leverkusen via a 5-2 aggregate scoreline. The 22-year-old won the tournament’s Golden Boot as he banged in six goals, the same number as Manchester United star Marcus Rashford. The Nigeran, however, recorded two assists to a solitary one from the Englishman.
Despite impressing greatly at club level, Boniface was overlooked by Super Eagles handler Jose Peseiro as he selected his squad for this month’s AFCON qualifier in Liberia. The Portuguese tactician opted for the experience of Moses Simon and captain Ahmed Musa in attack.
Victor Boniface is joined in the best XI four players from champions Sevilla, four from AS Roma, one from Manchester United and one from Bayer Leverkusen. Here is the team in full:
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla)
Defenders: Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Chris Smalling (AS Roma), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen), Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
Midfielders: Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma), Nemanja Matic (AS Roma)
Forwards: Victor Boniface (Union Saint-Gilloise), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Paulo Dybala (AS Roma).
