The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said that Union Saint Gilliose forward Victor Boniface did not make the final list of players for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations recent qualifier against Guinea-Bissau. This is amid reports that Boniface snubbed NFF’s invitation after the federation failed to send him a flight ticket to join the team.
In a tweet, the NFF stated that Boniface only made coach José Peseiro’s provisional list for the games, but was dropped from the final 23-man squad for the two legs.
“By way of clarification, Victor Boniface was not invited for the Super Eagles’ AFCON Qualifiers against Guinea Bissau.
“He was on the provisional list but didn’t make the final list, and therefore was not sent a flight ticket”, the tweet read.
In Boniface’s absence, Peseiro opted for forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Terem Moffi, Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu.
The Super Eagles were shocked 0-1 by Guinea-Bissau in the first leg in Abuja, but three days later in Bissau, the Nigerian squad paid Guinea-Bissau back in their own coin in Bissau, winning by the same lone goal.
Boniface has been outstanding this season for Belgian side Union, since he arrived in the summer for €2m from Bodo/Glimt.
Since moving to Belgium, the striker has notched 12 goals plus six assists in 33 games for Union, taking his tally to 19 in 41 games for both clubs (Union and Bodo/Glimt).
