Victor Boniface nets brace in 3-3 draw with Union Berlin

Victor Boniface nets brace in 3-3 draw with Union Berlin 

By Tunde David

Victor Boniface gave a performance to remember in Union Saint Gilloise‘s first leg Round of 16 Europa League game against Union Berlin at the Stadion a der Alten Försterei on Thursday night, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Nigerian scored a goal in each half to lead his Belgian team to a 3-3 draw ahead of the second leg next week. The two teams had met in the group stages where they had reversed 1-0 wins away from home.

The 22-year-old former Flying Eagles striker scored his first goal in 28 minutes when he found space outside the box to shoot into the top right-hand corner, with Frederik Rennow left to watch the ball sail into his net, after an unfortunate deflection by one of his defenders.

The hosts clawed their way back into the game in 42 minutes when Josip Juranovic culled home a superb free kick from outside the box that saw Anthony Morris unable to keep it out.

The visitors went back into the lead after halftime when Yorbe Vertessen got on the end of a pass after Löic Lapoussin’s sprint down the middle set him up to strike it past Rennow.

However, the hosts would not give up so easily and they got back level when the VAR adjudged Christian Burgess to have deliberately handled the ball inside the box. Robin Knoche stepped up to the spot and needed a rebound effort to beat Moris after the goalkeeper parried his initial kick right back into his lane.

But Boniface would return the visitors into the lead on 72 minutes when he read the run of Bart Nieuwkoop and placed the pass beyond Rennow to the astonishment of the home fans. One angry fan hurled a cup of beer towards the Nigerian as Boniface’s celebration in front of the Union ultras irked them.

The Nigerian has scored five goals in the Europa League this season.

Both teams will renew their rivalry on March 16 at the Lotto Park in Anderlecht. Boniface will have a lot to prove on home ground.