By Sebastian Karkos
Oh no, not that one again…
If the task isn’t already difficult enough for 1. FC Union on Sunday (3:30 p.m./DAZN) against league leaders Leverkusen, a Nigerian who makes many Union fans tremble is storming for the Werkself: Victor Boniface (22). The attacker has been astonishing football in Germany since the start of the season (eleven goals in 15 competitive games), but certainly not the Iron Men!
Last season, Boniface showed Köpenickers their limits with Union Saint-Gilloise/Belgium in the Europa League – in four duels. In these he scored four points (two goals, two assists).
The Berliners’ supporters have known Boniface for over a year, and those responsible have known him for longer. When he was still storming for Bodø/Glimt in Norway, he caught the eye of the Iron Men. At that time, a transfer was difficult to realize for economic reasons, and the young attacker had already torn his cruciate ligament twice. In 2022 he moved to Belgium for a fee of around six million euros. In 2023 it cost Leverkusen around 16 million – that was also too much for Union.
But: During its observations in Scandinavia, the club had another striker from Norway on its list: Moldes David Fofana (20). He moved to Chelsea in January 2023 for a fee of twelve million, but ultimately was unable to assert himself in the Premier League – Union had the chance to take the Ivorian on loan for a year!
“Fofana can be an important player for us”
On Wednesday in Naples (1:1), the striker scored his first goal for Berlin. Coach Urs Fischer (57) praised: “He showed what he can do. In the first half he was perhaps a little too playful, a little too stubborn, but in the second half he was more clear. He can be an important player for us.”
Union’s Fofana in a duel with Naples’ Natan Photo: Reuters
And it can be a start. Fofana may also go the route that Boniface took. But first we have to eliminate Boniface on Sunday. And not just him: Leverkusen scored at least two goals in every game this Bundesliga season, and an average of three per game.
There’s a lot coming up for Union…