Blow for Nigeria: Victor Boniface sidelined for 2023 AFCON with groin injury

Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has been ruled out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament with immediate effect, AfricaSoccer.com has gathered

The 23-year-old, who has been in superlative form in the Bundesliga this season, won’t take part in the upcoming tournament, which starts on Saturday due to a groin injury.

Boniface will immediately travel to Germany to begin his treatment to correct the injury that is expected to keep him out of action for six weeks.

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro is expected to take a decision for a replacement for Boniface later in the week.

The highly-rated attacker has been impressive for Leverkusen since the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, where he has netted 18 goals and provided 8 assists across all competitions after 23 matches.

Nigeria have been dealt another blow following Boniface’s unavailability after midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was ruled of the AFCON tournament and replaced by Alhassan Yusuf.

Nonetheless, the Super Eagles still boasts of a strong attack ahead of the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire with Victor Osimhen, Sadiq Umar, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, and Kelechi Iheanacho all available

Nigeria will open their AFCON account against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14, before facing hosts Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea Bissau in their subsequent Group A games.