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Football

21st Oct 2024

Champions League star rushed to hospital hours after scoring match winning goal

Zoe Hodges

He’s had a difficult week.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface was taken to hospital after he was involved in a car crash hours after his side’s 2-1 win over Frankfurt.

The Nigerian international uploaded pictures of his damaged car to social media which showed the front of his vehicle completely smashed up.

In another image, his left hand appears to be covered in blood. He later shared a picture from what appeared to be a hospital bed to his Snapchat with the caption: “Thank you lord”.

In a similar update on X, he wrote: “God is the greatest.”

No further update has been provided by the player or his club.

The 23-year-old has had a difficult time of late. Just last week, he along with his Nigerian teammates found themselves stranded at a Libyan airport for over 16 hours.

They were due to play Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday night but took the decision to boycott the fixture over the questionable treatment they received upon arrival.

Their plane was diverted to Al Abraq, a location 143 miles away from their intended destination.

The likes of Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and William Troost-Ekong, alongside Boniface, took to social media as events unfolded and called on the Nigerian government to intervene as they were denied access to food or drink.

They eventually flew back to Nigeria before the players returned to their clubs. The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) rejected accusations they intentionally mistreated their rivals.

Boniface got off to a rocky start in Sunday’s victory which leaves Leverkusen fourth in the Bundesliga, three points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

He had a tame shot from the penalty spot easily saved by Kevin Trapp, the Frankfurt goalkeeper.

Omar Marmoush then took the lead for the visitors, making Boniface rue that missed opportunity.

However, Leverkusen midfielder, Robert Andrich got his side back on level terms before Boniface nodded home the winner twenty minutes from full-time.