{
  "id": 14075436,
  "title": "Boniface to get Bundesliga chance – Report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/boniface-to-get-bundesliga-chance-report",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-13T00:30:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/boniface-to-get-bundesliga-chance-report/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface may receive playing time in the Bundesliga in the coming weeks, despite his exit from the dressing room during the club's 4-3 victory over Mainz, according to GOAL. The Nigerian player left the tunnel immediately following coach Carles Martinez's final substitution in the 84th minute, substituting on Jonas Hofmann for Patrick Schick. Boniface was the only recognized striker on the bench due to Christian Kofane's absence for several weeks with a torn thigh muscle fibre sustained while representing Cameroon. The 25-year-old has only played five minutes this season, contributing a setup goal in a 3-2 loss to Elversberg on matchday one. Martinez claimed he did not notice the incident during the match, stating, \"If that is what happened, we will speak to him.\" Leverkusen coach and director acknowledged that Boniface's actions were part of football and that every player desires to aid the team. Sporting director Simon Rolfes downplayed the matter, suggesting Boniface may have gone to the dressing room prematurely. Boniface did not participate in the Europa League and will miss Thursday's match against Lech Poznań. The Bundesliga presents the Nigerian with the best opportunity to gain playing time, and his status as a potential sale before the Saudi Arabian transfer window closed in January 2025 contributed to his team's decision.",
  "summary": "Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface may get more Bundesliga game time despite walking to the dressing room early after being an unused substitute against Ma Read More: https://punchng.com/boniface-to-get-bundesliga-chance-report/",
  "key_points": [
    "Victor Boniface may get Bundesliga playing time soon.",
    "Nigerian striker left tunnel after Martinez's final substitution.",
    "Boniface's Bundesliga chance arises due to potential sale before January 2025."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Boniface's imminent Bundesliga involvement signals a shift in squad management as Leverkusen looks to reintegrate the striker following his recent disciplinary outburst and limited playing time.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Boniface to get Bundesliga chance – Report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/boniface-to-get-bundesliga-chance-report-14076016",
        "published": "2026-10-13T00:36:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}