21-year-old Victor Boniface magic inspires Saint-Gilloise to UEL win at UBE

21-year-old Victor Boniface magic inspires Saint-Gilloise to UEL win at UBE

Izuchukwu Akawor 19:53 - 08.09.2022

The Belgian club went, saw and conquered its German host Union Berlin with its Nigerian boy supplying the ammunition.

Nigerian youngster Victor Boniface was at his absolute best as Union Saint-Gilloise kicked off its Europa League campaign off to a winning start.

Boniface started and lasted for 83 minutes before he was substituted with cheers from the fans as Saint-Gilloise earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over 10-man Union Berlin

https://twitter.com/UnionStGilloise/status/1567945608081674243?t=YO3-4lG8pWHnIkNr63n0MA&s=19

The 21-year-old put in a man of the match performance and set up the crucial winning goal scored by teammate Senne Lynen.

He created one chance, which led to the goal,  completed three (3) dribbles, five (5) ground duels, three (3) aerial duels, three (3) recoveries and made one interception.

The key moment of the game

With six minutes to the end of the opening half which was dominated by the home side, Berlin, USB found themselves ahead against the run of play.

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A dangerous ball from saw Saint-Gilloise break away with Boniface picked out just inside his own half.

With so much work to do, the youngster showed his ability on the ball to leave his marker for dead before running into the box with pace to thread the perfect pass for Lynen, who made no mistake from close range.

Union Saint-Gilloise before the brilliant win.

It was Lynen's first goal in over a year and he has the magical Boniface to thank for all the hard work and picking the right pass.

The away side also defended obdurately throughout the second half, with Boniface showing more neat touches and understanding with his teammates, to keep the home side at bay as Union Berlin struggled throughout to create anything of note.

There was still time for one final drama as Berlin pushed for the equaliser. The home side was reduced to 10 men when Sven Michel received his marching order in the sixth minute of added time.