Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface is facing another setback in his career, as he is set to miss Werder Bremen's upcoming Bundesliga game against VFB Stuttgart this Sunday due to a sustained knee injury. This unfortunate development follows his omission from coach Eric Chelle's 28-man squad for the AFCON 2025 tournament, a decision that would undoubtedly be a significant disappointment for the talented forward, especially considering his challenging year and the calibre of players selected over him.

Werder Bremen coach Horst Steffen officially confirmed Boniface's unavailability, revealing the 24-year-old striker is suffering from a knee contusion. The injury occurred during a "knee-to-knee collision with an opponent," Steffen explained in a pre-match press conference. "It happened in a challenge, knee to knee, and it really hurt," he stated, adding a note of concern: "Unfortunately, the recovery hasn't been as quick as we'd hoped. I can't yet say whether he'll be available for us again this year." Boniface will be hoping to return to action as quickly as possible, with Werder Bremen's final game before the Christmas break being against Augsburg at the WWK Arena.

Boniface's career has been unfortunately marked by a history of injury struggles. Early in his professional journey, he sustained two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. This persistent issue notably played a major role in his failed move to AC Milan during the last summer transfer window. Even during his highly successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he showcased exceptional form, frequent injuries disrupted his momentum, a factor that contributed to the club's decision to let him depart. This latest injury further compounds a difficult period for the striker.

Meanwhile, as the Super Eagles prepare for the AFCON 2025, former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has issued a rallying call to the current squad, urging them to emulate the spirit of the 2013 champions. Coach Eric Chelle's squad selections for the upcoming tournament have, as is often the case, drawn criticism from the Nigerian football scene. The team features several new faces, including Ryan Alebiosu, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Salim Fago Lawal, leading many Nigerians to question their readiness for the continental challenge in Morocco.

Onazi, who was part of Stephen Keshi’s youthful 2013 title-winning squad, sees striking parallels with the current team. He believes that the skepticism surrounding the new-look squad can be a catalyst for success. "Just like our team in 2013, we had many new players who made people not believe in us," Onazi told Footy Africa. "We knew we had a huge task in front of us, and we decided to give it our best. We were able to lift the title. I expect the same from this set of players."

The former Lazio star, capped 52 times for Nigeria, further advised the squad to block out external noise and focus intently on their mission. "Forget about what anyone thinks and go hard, real hard, to try and win the title. Once you wear that jersey, it does not matter when you play. What matters is your heart," he emphasized. He also reminded the players of the immense responsibility they carry, representing "more than 200 million people" and urging them to "give your all to the team and remember that you are representing the whole of Nigeria. Just do your best and leave everything on the pitch."

This inspiring message comes as Nigeria prepares for its AFCON campaign. The team will first face Egypt in a friendly match on December 16, before heading to Fès for their crucial AFCON Group C battles against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.