Victor Boniface, Super Eagles striker, has taken to social media to share an inspirational anecdote about his journey from paying “N30” to watch UEFA Champions League (UCL) games in Akure to making his debut in the competition.

The 23-year-old striker, raised in Akure, Ondo, made his UCL debut on Thursday in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 away victory over Feyenoord in the Netherlands.

He played 62 minutes in the encounter before he was substituted for Patrik Schick.

Boniface was pivotal in Leverkusen’s second goal with a crafty, disguised pass to Jeremie Fripong before the wingback laid a cross for Alejandro Grimaldo, who tapped in.

In a tweet on his X account after the game, the striker recounted his change of fortune from watching UCL matches at local viewing centres to basking in the competition’s electrifying atmosphere.

“From paying N30 to watch Champions League football for night back then for 323 army barrack Akure, to playing my first Champions League game. Proud of this moment,” Boniface wrote.

Boniface left Nigeria permanently in 2019. He joined Bodo/Glimt in Sweden from Real Sapphire Academy in Lagos.

Two Eliteserien league titles later, he left for Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian Super League, where he continued to improve. He was the joint top scorer in the 2022/23 Europa League with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford before leaving after one season to join Leverkusen.

Boniface was an integral member of the Leverkusen team that went unbeaten in domestic competitions last season.

He has notched up three goals and one assist in five appearances this season. He is currently on 24 goals and 11 assists in his 39-match Bayer Leverkusen career.

[TheCable]