Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has thrown his weight behind his namesake and strike partner, Victor Boniface, whose struggles in the Nigeria national team continued as he drew blank in their 1-0 win over Libya in Uyo on Friday, Afrosport reports.
Boniface, who was handed his fifth start for the Super Eagles by interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, was unable to find the back of the net against the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in matchday three in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Bayer Leverkusen star has scored six goals and provided one assist in nine matches for the German club this season, but has found it tough to open his international account for Nigeria.
Despite his struggles, Galatasaray forward Osimhen, who was not called up for October’s AFCON 2025 qualifying matches due to injury, was not shy in showing his support to Boniface.
The 25-year-old wrote on social media: “No shaking my guy, e go come, and when e finally come, e no go stop.”
The Nigerian number nine’s post, which was written in Nigerian pidgin English, largely translates to “Do not worry, my friend; the goals will come, and when they finally come, it will be unending.”
Osimhen’s words of encouragement came after Boniface himself made light of the situation with a post on Instagram, in which he jokingly referenced external forces as the reason for his goal drought.
It read: “3 points… Village people abeg na, wetin de sup.” Another one made in the Nigerian pidgin dialect, which means “All three points secured… my village folks, please. What is going on?”
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Although Boniface failed to get his name on the scoresheet, he worked tirelessly for the team until he was replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi in the 74th minute, something reminiscent of what Osimhen provides for the Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles threw all they could at Libya, as they needed a goal to move them closer to securing qualification for next year’s AFCON finals. The goal eventually came through the boots of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, whose late strike earned the three-time African champions all available points.
Nigeria will lock horns against the Mediterranean Knights in the reverse fixture on Tuesday, October 15, at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium at 8 p.m. West African Time, knowing that a win is all they need to qualify.
