Nigeria’s Victor Boniface has won the Bundesliga Player of the Month for August, beating the likes of Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Jonas Wind of Wolfsburg.
“The award is decided through a two-stage selection process that considers both the players’ individual performance data and a vote by fans and experts,” the Bundesliga saidAMP in a Thursday statement. “The August award is based on performances from Matchdays 1 and 2 of the season.”
The 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward had a good start to the league campaign and got an assist in Die Werkself ‘s win over Leipzig. He followed it up with a brace in the 3-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach.
“The Nigerian registered more shots than any other Bundesliga player in August – 14. On only the second matchday alone, against Gladbach, he fired off 11 attempts on Jonas Omlin’s goal, as many as Harry Kane managed across Matchdays 1 and 2,” the Bundesliga added.
“Boniface’s sheer hard work has left a great impression too: his 54 challenges contested are the highest in the Bundesliga, while his fierce pressing has helped him win 43 percent of them. The striker’s performances also won him the Rookie of the Month award, meaning he is the first player since Erling Haaland in 2020 to be named Player and Rookie of the same month.”
Boniface was part of the Super Eagles team that defeated Sao Tome and Principe 6-0 in their last game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.