. Gift Orban gifts Hoffenheim consolation
Victor Boniface repaid Bayer Leverkusen with a goal on his return to action in the Bundesliga on Sunday as he netted the opening goal in the team’s 3-1 home win against Hoffenheim, which paraded another Nigerian, Gift Orban.
Boniface got the curtain raiser in the 15th minute from an Alex Grimaldo’s assist before Jeremie Frimpong added the second four minutes later.
The game, which produced seven yellow cards including a red to Grimaldo for a second bookable offense in the 61st minute also saw Hoffenheim new signing, Gift Orban scoring a consolation in the 63rd minute to take the score to a respectable 3-1 at full time.
Meanwhile, Boniface whose €70 million move to Al-Nassr fell through last week has insisting he’s happy to remain in Leverkusen.
“There has been a lot of speculation here and there. But I like playing here and want to do my best for the team,” Boniface assured in an interview with sportsboom.com.
“Whatever happens in the future will happen, but at the moment I’m only thinking about helping Leverkusen achieve our goals. Transfer rumors are normal in football. It’s always flattering when big clubs show interest, but my focus at the moment is 100 percent on Bayer Leverkusen.
“Every game is an opportunity. I want to contribute goals, assists and energy to the team. I just want to stay fit, keep playing and keep improving. If I manage that, I think everything else will fall into place.”
Yesterday’s game against Hoffenheim was Boniface’s 11th Bundesliga game of the season, having scored six and created one in his previous 10 before a hamstring injury ruled the Nigerian out of eight league games.