Nigeria's Boniface outshines Harry Kane to win Bundesliga Player of the Month

Victor Boniface celebrates a brilliant start to life at Bayer Leverkusen. (Photo Credit: Bayer Leverkusen/X)

Nigeria's Boniface outshines Harry Kane to win Bundesliga Player of the Month

Izuchukwu Akawor 17:18 - 14.09.2023

Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface has now claimed the Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month for August in the Bundesliga, seeing off Harry Kane for the latter.

Bayer Leverkusen superstar Victor Boniface has added another Bundesliga Award to his collection. 

The Bundesliga officially announced  Boniface as the winner via a post on their social media account on Thursday. 

“Here's your VICTOR!” the league posted on X.com. “Congratulations to Victor Boniface on winning the #BundesligaPOTM for August!”

Boniface’s impact at Bayer

The 22-year-old has had a dream start to life at the BayArena following a summer move from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. 

Boniface became the first player since Erling Haaland to contribute six goals in his first three matches in the Bundesliga.

Boniface beats Kane to be the new face of the Bundesliga
Nigeria's Victor Boniface has contributed six goals for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga this season. (Photo Credit: Bayer/X)

He scored four goals and provided two more assists for his teammates in his first three matches for Die Werkself. 

This impact earned also the Rookie of the Month award from the Bundesliga, who noted that the Nigeria forward has been the most outstanding player so far this season. 

Xabi Alonso is happy with his star Victor Boniface
Job well done! Bayer boss, Xabi congratulates Boniface. (Photo Credit: Bayer/X)

“The Nigerian registered more shots than any other Bundesliga player in August – 14,” Bundesliga noted on their website. “On only the second matchday alone, against Gladbach, he fired off 11 attempts on Jonas Omlin’s goal, as many as Harry Kane managed across Matchdays 1 and 2.”

“Boniface’s sheer hard work has left a great impression too: his 54 challenges contested are the highest in the Bundesliga, while his fierce pressing has helped him win 43 per cent of them.”

Kane and other nominees

The latest Super Eagles saw off competition from the likes of Bayern Munich duo Harry Kane and Alphonso Davies.

Bundesliga’s Player of the Month award is by the German league through their licensing partner EA Sports and was created in the 2018/2019 season. 

Kane scored three goals in three matches.
Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Augsburg || Image credit: Imago

Bayern’s Kane, who also joined the German league in the summer, scored three goals in three matches in an excellent start to life in Bavaria. 

However, his form was not enough to deny Boniface the August award, his second of the month. 

Henrichs plays for RB Leipzig
Benjamin Henrichs of Leipzig. (Photo Credit: Leipzig/X)

Other nominees for August include Jonas Wind, Benjamin Henrichs and Kevin Behrens.