Former Flying Eagles striker Victor Boniface has shown he can also stand out against some of Europe’s top clubs as Union St.Gilloise push above their weight in the UEFA Europa League this season.
🇳🇬 Victor Boniface wins #UEL Player of the week! ⚽️⚽️@hankookreifen || #UELPOTW pic.twitter.com/x0F0oGxUzH
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 10, 2023
Union SG will now face Bayer Leverkusen for a place in the semifinal of the Europa League after they saw off another Bundesliga club, Union Berlin, in the previous round.
Boniface was Man of the Match in his modest Belgian club’s 3-0 spanking of Union Berlin in Brussels even though he was not among the goals on another special night in Europe.
“I just try to do my part of the job and help the team in any way I can. I just want to enjoy myself,” the big striker said after another great display.
“The most important thing is that I feel free on the pitch. It’s not just about the goals. I want to help the team in other ways.”
He has scored five goals in the Europa League to be joint top scorer in the competition along with Marcus Rashford of Manchester United and Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord.
Boniface was named by UEFA as the Player of the Week in the Europa League after his brace got Union SG a 3-3 draw in Germany with Union Berlin.
“Victor was good. Very good, even”, praised coach Geraets moments after the big win over Union Berlin.
“With us, there are no stars, but there are good players. It is important to have players who push us to that extra percentage and who have personality,” added Boniface’s teammate Lazare.
The midfielder said his Nigerian teammate shone.
“Maybe he will give a little more in Europe. After all, it is still a European competition. You should ask him the question, but he was good again, as usual,” he remarked.
Senna Lynen also agreed on how good the striker was.
“In Europe he catches fire! These are also the matches he likes, I think,” he collaborated.
🇳🇬 Victor Boniface's (22) adaptation to a higher level standard of football has been quick.
— BeSoccer Pro (@BeSoccerProEN) March 10, 2023
✌️🏿 A brace from the striker against @FCUnion kept @UnionStGilloise's options to progress in the Europa League quite alive. pic.twitter.com/WNnWhBQLaY
Was this Boniface’s best match in a Union SG shirt?
“No! I have already played good matches”, he himself insisted. “In the previous match against Union Berlin (he scored two goals in a 3-3 draw in Germany), against Anderlecht, against Braga…”
In any case, it is a great moment, for everyone around the team and also for him personally.
“This is huge for the club, but also for the fans. We can now play against big teams like Arsenal or Manchester United,” he said.
“My ambition in the Europa League? Go to the final!”
