FORMER Super Eagles defender Efetobore Sodje has identified the reason Victor Boniface’s impressive club form is not extended to the national team.
While Boniface has thrived at Bayer Leverkusen since joining the German champions from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 and has already scored three goals in four matches this season, the 23-year-old has only one goal in eight Nigeria appearances.
Sodje, who played 12 times for the Super Eagles and featured at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, believes the national team set-up could be hindering Boniface.
“The guy is a good player, all the Nigerian players are doing well in Europe this season,” Sodje told Brila FM on Monday.
“For Boniface, it is about consistency. The question is can they play him and Osimhen at the same time? Or we play one and leave the other on the bench?
“That is where the issue is; they have to change the system. Whoever gets to be the coach next will have to watch and see how they (attackers) play individually. Some times, we may just have to adapt to his game.”
Boniface’s only Super Eagles goal came in a friendly against Saudi Arabia in October 2023, and he has fired blanks in his last six appearances for the national team.
He made his Super Eagles debut in a 6-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier victory over Sao Tome and Principe, coming off the bench to make an assist in a 2-2 draw.
