Why I Didn't Play Victor Boniface Against South Africa - Finidi George

Why I Didn't Play Victor Boniface Against South Africa - Finidi George

By Niyi Busari

Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George has stated that substitution of injured defender, Semi Ajayi led to leaving Victor Boniface on the bench for the whole duration of the match between Nigeria and Super Eagles, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 2024 AFCON finalists on Friday night came from a goal down to hold Bafana Bafana to a 1-1 draw in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Fans hopes were raised when Victor Boniface who scored 30 goals in all competitions for unbeaten German Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen was seen warming up only to go back to the bench when the Super Eagles needed goals to snatch three points from the crucial match.

At the post match press conference, the NPFL Champion, Finidi George said, “He (Boniface) was supposed to come in but when we heard [Semi] Ajayi complain that he had a knock, he couldn't continue. So we had to reverse that,' claimed the Nigerian boss while addressing the media after the match against South Africa

Speaking further, the former Enyimba man promised that the 23-year-old will get his chance in the next game against Benin Republic before asking the media to allow them to do their job.

"For me it is what you can give to me on the field, everyone wants this or that player to play but at the end of the day if the player is not performing you guys will still be shouting 'take him off’,” he added.

“So, let us do our job. We know who is good to go, we have another game so definitely we’ll see how we can play these guys,” Finidi concluded..

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has managed just three points from a possible nine in their opening three qualifiers for the 2026 tournament.

With the draw, Lesotho topped Group C with five points, with Rwanda, Benin Republic and South Africa on four points each. Nigeria's Super Eagles are fifth on the log with three points from three matches.