Victor Boniface will not be representing Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after picking up an injury at the Super Eagles’ pre-tournament camp in Abu Dhabi.
The Bayer Leverkusen star was evidently missing from the squad that faced Guinea in a friendly match on Monday at the Bani Yas Stadium which Nigeria lost 2-0.
Boniface reportedly picked up a groin injury and will now return to Germany to begin treatment. The injury could sideline Xabi Alonso’s frontman for up to six weeks.
He was among the eight strikers called up to the AFCON 2023 squad by José Peseiro alongside Napoli star, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sadiq Umar. His replacement is yet unknown.
Boniface becomes the second player in Peseiro’s 25-man squad to pick up an injury after Wilfred Ndidi, who couldn’t make it to the Super Eagles camp. Ndidi was replaced by Al Hassan Yusuf who plies his trade at Royal Antwerp in Belgium.
Peseiro had the option to select a squad of 27 players, however, the Portuguese chose 25 which he believes can deliver Nigeria’s fourth AFCON title a decade after the last in South Africa.
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