‘I’m unlucky with the national team’ — Victor Boniface breaks silence on Super Eagles critics and struggles

Victor Boniface has opened up on his Super Eagles struggles, saying he’s “unlucky” with goals and calling out critics who only judge from live scores.

Nigerian international striker Victor Boniface has strongly pushed back against critics of his performances for the Super Eagles, stating he has been “unlucky” in front of goal for the national team and criticising a fan culture that only checks "live scores" for goals.

The remarks came during a recent media session with African journalists organised by the Bundesliga, where the forward addressed his struggle to replicate his prolific club form for Nigeria.

Boniface's national team record currently stands at just one assist and zero goals across 13 appearances across competitions.

The 24-year-old centre-forward, who has enjoyed an impressive run in German football following his move from Bayer Leverkusen before he joined Werder Bremen on loan, has failed to find the back of the net for the Super Eagles, registering only one assist.

This stark contrast with his strong club form, which saw him win the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season in 2023/24 for times, has led to significant scrutiny from Nigerian fans and media.

Addressing the criticism, Boniface stated in a video on X: “Concerning the national team, I would say I am not lucky with them in terms of scoring. But there are a couple of games which I did very good but scoring is the most important thing presently in the world of football.”

'People Don't Even Watch The Game'

Boniface articulated his frustration with modern football fandom, which often focuses on surface-level statistics rather than overall contribution.

“People don’t even watch the game, they go on live score, when you score, you’re Ronaldinho. People don’t watch the game. So, I’m sorry for those people that think that way, but I said I am unlucky with the national team in terms of scoring.”

The striker's comments show a core tension in football analysis: the difference between a forward’s overall impact and their primary metric (goals).

While Boniface who also explained his social media activities may contribute significantly to the team's build-up, a lack of goals is often magnified, especially in high-pressure national team fixtures.

Boniface’s powerful statement challenges the current narrative around his Super Eagles career, urging supporters to look beyond the scoresheet.

His national team appearances show that he is contributing to the team, but the zero in the 'Goals' column remains a heavy cross to bear for a striker.

"My biggest dream as a football player was to have this very moment - representing my country, which I achieved by myself... So, it doesn’t work bad, it doesn’t work good, that doesn’t mean I am a bad player," Boniface concluded, re-emphasising his pride and commitment to the national jersey.

Boniface's heartfelt defense against his Super Eagles critics sheds light on the pressure strikers face, especially when representing football-mad nations like Nigeria.