Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface equalled Austin Jay-Jay Okocha’s long-standing Bundesliga goal record during Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw against Holstein Kiel on Saturday afternoon.
Despite the draw, Boniface stole the spotlight with an early goal just four minutes into the match. Though he had a chance to score the winner, a second strike was ruled out by VAR. Nevertheless, it was a memorable day for the 23-year-old forward as he notched his fourth league goal of the season, following his maiden Champions League goal earlier in the week.
Boniface’s goal brought his Bundesliga tally to 18, matching the total set by Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha during his time with Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1990s. Remarkably, while Okocha needed 90 games to reach this milestone, Boniface accomplished it in just 29 matches, highlighting his impressive efficiency in front of goal.
By equalling Okocha’s record, Boniface is now tied for fifth place among Nigerian players with the most goals in Bundesliga history. He is just four goals shy of overtaking Taiwo Awoniyi in fourth place, and within striking distance of Anthony Ujah, who sits third with 31 goals.
Victor Agali holds the second spot with 33 goals, while Jonathan Akpoborie remains the all-time Nigerian top scorer in the Bundesliga, boasting an unrivalled 60 goals.
Boniface’s performance continues to elevate his standing as one of the top Nigerian stars in European football, with plenty of time to rise further up the ranks in the Bundesliga’s record books.
