Victor Boniface, the Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, has reacted to his omission from the 2024 CAF Player of the Year shortlist, even though he had an exceptional season in European football.
The forward, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, was expected by many to be among the nominees after his standout performances last season.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the shortlist on Thursday, and Boniface’s absence from it raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.
During the last season, Boniface made a remarkable impact, contributing significantly to Leverkusen’s success. He played a crucial role in the team winning the prestigious Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal.
Additionally, he was a key player in their Europa League campaign, where they finished as silver medalists.
Over the course of the season, Boniface netted an impressive 21 goals, contributed 10 assists, and participated in 34 matches, showcasing his versatility and skill as a forward.
His outstanding performances did not go unnoticed; he was awarded the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season and earned a place in the Team of the Season, highlighting his emergence as one of the top talents in European football.
In his post addressing his CAF omission, Victor Boniface reflected on his achievements, saying, “Rookie of the season, Team of the season. No worries, I no play AFCON. Na why I dey wait for memes d’or.”
Rookie of the season
— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) October 24, 2024
Team of the season
No worry I no play AFCON
Na why I dey wait for memes d or
Boniface’s absence from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year was due to injury, which further complicated his chances to shine on an international level.