By Daniel Edu
Jose Peseiro, the former head coach of the Super Eagles, has voiced his belief that the absence of Victor Boniface significantly impacted Nigeria’s quest for the 2023 AFCON title.
Boniface, initially included in Peseiro’s final squad for the 2023 AFCON held in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, suffered an unfortunate injury to his ankle just days before the tournament began. This sidelined the 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen striker, who has remained out of action since January 2024.
Peseiro revealed that the team had planned to deploy a two-man attack strategy for the tournament, but Boniface’s absence forced them to primarily utilize a 4-3-3 formation throughout the competition.
Despite securing a second-place finish in Group A without any defeats and reaching the final, where they ultimately lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast, the Super Eagles struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities during the tournament. Peseiro attributed this difficulty to the absence of Boniface, suggesting that his presence could have made a decisive impact.
Speaking to AfricafootUnited in an interview, Peseiro, whose contract with the NFF expired on February 29, expressed his confidence in Boniface’s abilities, highlighting his versatility and proficiency in the team’s preferred attacking style.
Peseiro lamented the limited options available to refine their gameplay in Boniface’s absence, emphasizing the striker’s potential to serve as a pivotal element in the team’s tactical setup.
It is anticipated that Victor Boniface will make his return to the pitch in April this year after a three-month hiatus due to injury.
