Bayer 04 Leverkusen head coach, Xabi Alonso, has revealed that Super Eagles striker, Victor Okoh Boniface, is in pole position to start for the team in their Europa League clash against West Ham, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former Union-Saint Gilloise striker injured his adductor while on International duty with the Nigerian national team in preparation for the AFCON 2023 tournament hosted in Ivory Coast, keeping him out of footballing action for three months.
He made his return to the pitch in Leverkusen’s 4-0 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf in the DFB-Pokal semi-final, replacing Patrik Schick in the 65th minute.
Boniface also came off the bench to replace Borja Iglesias in their 1-0 win over Union Berlin last weekend as they edge closer to lifting their first-ever Bundesliga title.
Speaking in his pre-match presser, Alonso revealed that the 23-year-old Super Eagle is in pole position to start in what could be Leverkusen’s most important European game this season.
“Just Adam Hlozek is injured from the weekend. Matej Kovar will play in goal. Victor Boniface is fully fit to play, so he could be used from the start tomorrow,” the former Real Madrid midfielder said in quotes revealed by the club’s social media page.
The former Real Sociedad B Manager highlighted the danger David Moyes’ team possesses but revelled in his team’s ability to come out on top.
“We know what West Ham can do. They have experience in Europe, last season they were Champions of the Conference League. We want to go further and starting tomorrow and then next week in London we have to play our own game. We are ready,” Alonso added.
The first leg of the tie will be played at the Bay Arena before Die Werkself travel to London Stadium for the second leg.
N.B: We want to know your thoughts. Leverkusen are about to become Bundesliga champions, do you think they can win the UEFA Europa League? Let us know in the comments.
