Victor Boniface will miss Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League clash against Stade Brest on Wednesday after being involved in a car accident early Sunday morning. Although the Nigerian striker fortunately escaped with only minor injuries, he remains unfit to play, Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso confirmed on Tuesday evening.
“‘Boni’ won’t be part of the squad. Thankfully, the injuries weren’t severe, but an accident like this leaves its mark. He’s improving, but the game comes too soon for him. Physically, he’s recovering well, but it’s also about his emotional state. As a precaution, we’ve decided to let him sit this one out,” Alonso told reporters.
Alonso elaborated that Boniface sustained a small cut on his foot and a wound on his hand, but the decision to leave him out is primarily due to the emotional impact of the incident.
“We consulted with the doctors, our sporting director Simon Rolfes, and Victor himself, and concluded it’s best he doesn’t travel with us,” Alonso said. “It was a frightening experience, but the important thing is that both he and his friend came away with no serious injuries. It could’ve been much worse, so he was fortunate.”
The coach reassured that Boniface’s absence is short-term. “He’ll be out for days, not weeks,” Alonso added.
In Boniface’s place, 17-year-old Francis Onyeka has been called up to the squad. “We want to give him the experience of what it’s like to be part of the Champions League. With Boni out, we need someone to step in,” Alonso explained.