Jose Peseiro and the Super Eagles face a fresh setback as Victor Boniface withdraws from Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, this after Wilfred Ndidi’s earlier withdrawal due to a muscular injury.

Boniface, the Bayer Leverkusen striker, is sidelined for up to six weeks with a groin injury, impacting his anticipated role as Victor Osimhen’s strike partner in Peseiro’s preferred 4-4-2 formation.

The Nigeria Football Federation’s decision on a replacement for Boniface remains uncertain. With Kelechi Iheanacho also racing against time for fitness, the Super Eagles face challenges ahead of their opening game against Equatorial Guinea on January 14.

Boniface’s prolific season (with twenty-four goal involvements in 23 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen) positioned him as a potential breakout star of the tournament. His absence poses a significant setback for Nigeria at AFCON.

It is a huge blow, considering his sensational form this season and the impact he made during his first call-up for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against São Tomé and Príncipe in September.

His absence raises questions about the team’s attacking dynamics and whether Peseiro will need to adjust his tactics to compensate for the loss of such a key player.

The Super Eagles now find themselves navigating a challenging scenario, hoping for Iheanacho’s timely recovery while contemplating strategic adjustments to face the upcoming AFCON competition.