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Nigeria's Olympic champion has begged for patience with Leverkusen star
Olympic champion Mobi Oparaku has called on fans to show understanding and restraint toward Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface following the player's suggestion of stepping away from international football.
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What happened
Boniface sparked controversy last Friday when he appeared to announce his retirement from the national team shortly after Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia.
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20:32 - 06.06.2025
'I don hang boot' - Boniface confirms 'retirement' from Super Eagles after poor outing against Russia
Victor Boniface hints at quitting the Super Eagles after another disappointing outing against Russia, expressing pride but frustration in a heartfelt Instagram message.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward made the statement via a social media post, which was deleted a few hours later but not before it ignited widespread speculation and debate among fans.
What Oparaku said
The Former Nigerian international urged Nigerians to exercise empathy and consider the physical and emotional toll of a demanding football season.
Oparaku who is a member of Nigeria’s 1996 Olympic gold-winning squad, believes the situation is being blown out of proportion.
Speaking to Brila FM, Oparaku was also quick to defend Boniface’s dedication to the Super Eagles, despite the forward’s struggles to replicate his club form on the international stage.
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“It has been a long season, and most players are already mentally fatigued and just want to go on break. People forget that these are human beings too. The pressures are immense, and sometimes words are spoken out of frustration or exhaustion,” he said.
He added, “He is a good player who has simply struggled to find his best form with the Super Eagles. But Boniface is not someone who lacks passion or commitment. He shows heart every time he’s on the pitch.”
However, the ex-Enyimba defender emphasized the importance of patience and support from fans, noting that form dips and emotional outbursts are not uncommon in football, especially for young players still trying to find their footing on the international stage.
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“Instead of crucifying him, we should be encouraging him. He still has a lot to offer Nigeria,” Oparaku added.
Boniface is yet to establish himself in the Super Eagles squad fully with his social media post, now deleted, which has fueled speculation, but neither the player nor the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued an official statement on the matter.
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