Boniface returns to training after months out with knee injury

Super Eagles striker shares recovery progress as comeback edges closer

Victor Boniface has resumed training after spending several months sidelined with a knee injury, raising hopes of his long-awaited return to competitive football.

The Nigerian forward shared a video of himself performing leg exercises on his official X account on Tuesday, signalling a major step forward in his recovery. In the post, he wrote in pidgin English, “Help me post this one too, I dey training,” a message that quickly drew reactions from fans celebrating his progress and expressing optimism about his return.

The 25-year-old had been out of action following a knee contusion that required surgery earlier this year. His club, Werder Bremen, had confirmed in January that he would be unavailable for several months after opting for the surgical procedure in Austria.

According to the club, the striker underwent surgery in Innsbruck under the supervision of renowned knee specialist Prof. Dr. Christian Fink, following extensive medical evaluation. The decision was taken to ensure full recovery and prevent long-term complications that could affect his performance.

Injury setbacks disrupted strong momentum

Boniface’s latest injury marked another difficult chapter in what has been a challenging period for the striker, who had already endured multiple fitness setbacks over the past year.

One of the most significant blows came in November 2024, when he suffered a serious abductor injury just before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, forcing him to miss the tournament entirely. The absence denied him the opportunity to represent Nigeria on one of the continent’s biggest stages and halted his growing momentum at both club and international levels.

His rehabilitation also faced complications, ruling him out of Werder Bremen’s opening match of 2026 against Borussia Dortmund, further delaying his return to action.

Throughout the recovery period, Boniface openly acknowledged the emotional toll of being sidelined. In previous social media posts, he described maintaining a “fake smile” despite the difficulties, while expressing faith and gratitude as he worked towards regaining full fitness.

Return offers boost for club and country

Before his injury struggles, Boniface had been enjoying an impressive run of form, scoring eight goals and providing one assist in 15 appearances. His performances had established him as one of the most promising Nigerian forwards in Europe and a key attacking option for both club and country.

His return to training now represents a crucial milestone in his recovery journey and could pave the way for his gradual reintegration into competitive football.

While no official timeline has been announced for his return to match action, his presence back on the training ground suggests that a comeback may not be far off, offering encouragement to fans and strengthening Nigeria’s attacking options ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

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