Bayer Leverkusen and Nigeria striker, Victor Boniface is set to miss “a few games” after returning from international duty with a leg injury, coach Xabi Alonso said Friday.

“He’s got a small injury in his thigh muscle, it’s a shame,” Alonso told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Heidenheim.

Nigerian media reported Boniface could miss the remainder of 2024 but Alonso was optimistic the striker would be back soon.

“He won’t be there tomorrow or against Salzburg (Champions League).

“We hope he will play again this year. We have to wait and see, but it’s not going to be six or eight weeks.”

Forward Patrik Schick, who has started just twice in the league this season, is expected to step up in the Nigerian’s absence.

“He is always ready — we don’t just need him now, but always.”

The defending champions, who did not lose a game in Germany last year on the way to an unbeaten league and cup double, have stuttered this season.

Leverkusen are currently in fourth, nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. Alonso’s men have dropped 13 points so far this season, one more than the 12 they leaked in the entirety of the last campaign.

Boniface is Leverkusen’s highest scorer in the league, with six goals and an assist in 10 games.

President Bola Tinubu has charged the military to do everything within their power to ensure that they address insecurity in Africa.

Tinubu gave the charge on Wednesday when he officially declared open the second edition of the Africa Military Games (AMGA 2024) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Tinubu who was represented at the event by Vice President, Kashim Shettima observed that no single nation can tackle its security challenges alone.

Shettima said the president has, therefore, called on the military across Africa to unite in addressing insecurity and other threats to the continent’s unity and stability. 

“Our collective safety and the well-being of our people demand that we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as one united Africa,” he said, acknowledging the significance of the games in strengthening Africa’s collective security efforts.

The president also heralded the event as a historic platform to foster unity, camaraderie and military cooperation across the continent. 

AMGA 2024 with the theme, “Enhancing Military Cooperation in Africa through Sports,” marks a revival of the tradition initiated over 20 years ago in Nairobi, Kenya.

Italian Serie A side Genoa FC has revealed the hiring of Patrick Vieira, a former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder, as their new head coach.

The club made this announcement in a statement published on its website on Wednesday, titled “Press Release – Vieira Appointed New Head Coach.”

The statement read, “Genoa CFC announces that Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the head coach of the first team. The new coach will oversee his first training session this afternoon, following the formalisation of his contract at the Villa Rostan Headquarters.”

Vieira, a former French defensive midfielder, was an integral part of Arsenal’s legendary ‘Invincibles’ team that secured the club’s third Premier League championship. He shared the field with fellow French players Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, among others. Additionally, Vieira was a member of the French squad that won the FIFA World Cup in 1998.

The statement continued, “With a professional journey that included a role as Executive Development Football at Manchester City’s Academy from 2011 to 2015, Vieira has also managed teams such as New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, and Strasbourg. Welcome, coach!”

The announcement follows Genoa’s decision to part ways with their previous head coach, 42-year-old Alberto Gilardino, due to an underwhelming start to the Serie A campaign.

“Genoa CFC announces that Alberto Gilardino has been relieved of his duties,” the club confirmed on Tuesday.

Gilardino, who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, assumed the role of Genoa’s head coach in December 2022 following his tenure with the club’s Under-19 team. Under his leadership, Genoa secured automatic promotion to Serie A in 2023 and finished 11th in the league last season.

Currently, however, the team is struggling, occupying 17th place in Serie A with only two victories in 12 games, just a single point clear of the relegation zone.

The Super Eagles ended their campaign in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Rwanda on Monday.

Nigeria, having already qualified for the tournament in Morocco, went ahead through Samuel Chukwueze who scored a lovely goal in the 59th minute.

The AC Milan attacker who replaced the misfiring Kelechi Iheanacho gave Nigeria the lead after a brilliant solo run into the visitor’s box before firing the ball into the net.

Rwanda, however, shocked everyone and even themselves as they came from one goal down to defeat the Super Eagles 2-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The visitors got their equaliser in the 72nd minute with Ange Mutsinz’s header from a freekick beating Maduka Okoye who was keeping goal for Nigeria for the first time in almost three years.

Rwanda who knew they needed a win to give them any hope of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON scored again through Nshuti Innocent who fired a shot into the Eagles net to give them the lead which they maintained till the game ended for a shock victory.

With interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen suffering his first defeat in the 2025 AFCON qualification series, Complete Sports, hereby takes a look at how the Super Eagles players rated against Rwanda…

Maduka Okoye 4/10: Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye’s first appearance for the Super Eagles in almost three years ended in the same manner as his last game for Nigeria.

Before Monday, Okoye last kept goal for Nigeria on January 23, 2022 when the Super Eagles lost 1-0 to Tunisia in a 2021 AFCON second round clash in Cameroon.

He might not have been directly culpable for the two goals Nigeria conceded against Rwanda but then, Okoye did not particularly cover himself in glory.

Bright Osayi-Samuel 5/10: Bright Osayi-Samuel had a decent game and was good with his positioning, helping both in attack and in defence but tdue to the fact that the team was bad in general, his rating has been negatively affected.

Gabriel Osho 4/10: Gabriel Osho made his second start for the Super Eagles and played well in the first half but he needs to really start justifying his invitation to the Super Eagles.

However, his positioning led to the Super Eagles conceding two goals and overall, the Auxerre central defender cannot be rated well from the two games he has played for Nigeria.

William Troost-Ekong 5/10: William Troost Ekong also known as captain fantastic wasn’t that fantastic against Rwanda as he was instrumental to the team conceding two goals in the space of two minutes to lose their one-goal advantage in the second half.

The defender was caught napping for both goals while his partnership with Osho in the heart of the Super Eagles defence also looked shaky.

Bruno Onyemaechi 5/10: Bruno Onyemaechi was very much far away from being a top player against the Amavubi unlike the way he was the best Nigerian star when they drew 1-1 with Benin Republic last Thursday.

His connection with Moses Simon on the left side of the pitch was not felt at all while his crosses also left a bitter taste in the mouth as he failed to create any big chance.

Raphael Onyedika 6/10: Club Brugge of Belgium midfielder, Raphael Onyedika put in the energy in the engine room of the Nigerian national team with his physical presence and strength.

Onyedika who actually replaced Wilfred Ndidi in midfield also provided a good link with the forwards but he did not do much in the attack like he normally does for his club in recent times.

Al-Hassan Yusuf 4/10: Al-Hassan Yusuf who partnered Onyedika in midfield has never been convincing in a Super Eagles’ shirt and that continued in the game against Rwanda.

Yusuf who moved to the MLS during the summer transfer window did not do much in the first half, leading to his substitution at halftime.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 5/10: It was an unusually subdued performance from Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru whom Nigerian football fans have always expected much from due to the way he introduced himself to them.

He was supposed to be the main outlet from midfield, but he failed to do much for the Super Eagles.

Victor Boniface 4/10: When in heaven’s name will Victor Boniface start shining in the colours of the Super Eagles? That seems to be a million dollar question only Boniface himself can answer.

It is disturbing that the forward is always lion whenever he plays for Bayer Leverkusen but then becomes timid for the Super Eagles which means he must improve for Nigeria, something he did not show any sign of against Rwanda as he was disappointing once again.

Moses Simon 6/10: Moses Simon was at the top of his game and was a threat to the Rwanda defenders, with his slick moves on the flank but he obviously couldn’t do it all alone as most of his teammates failed to come to the party.

Kelechi Iheanacho 4/10: Kelechi Iheanacho had a disappointing game as he failed to justify the reason interim manager, Augustine Eguavoen included him in the starting line-up.

He started for the Super Eagles but he failed to prove himself. He failed to create enough chances, and at times, he seemed to have even slowed down the attack.

SUBSTITUTES

Frank Onyeka 6/10: Frank Onyeka came in as a substitute and was involved in the Super Eagles opening goal, but Nigeria still went on to concede two goals.

Samuel Chukwueze 7/10: The AC Milan attacker who replaced the misfiring Kelechi Iheanacho made an immediate impact as he gave Nigeria the lead after a brilliant solo run into the visitor’s box before firing the ball into the net.

Victor Osimhen 5/10: Victor Osimhen came in to replace Dele-Bashiru after the Super Eagles conceded two goals in the space of two minutes but had limited time to help Nigeria.

Umar Sadiq: The Real Sociedad striker replaced Boniface in the 89th minute when the game had already been won and lost, therefore, he cannot be rated.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set to face Rwanda’s Amavubi on Monday in their final Group D match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Although the three-time African champions have already booked their place in Morocco 2025 and secured the top position in the group, Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has reassured fans that the team will still strive for a win, despite the absence of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Olaoluwa Aina, and forward Ademola Lookman.

According to PUNCH Online, Eguavoen is determined to keep the team’s unbeaten streak intact and is expected to field a strong lineup when Nigeria hosts Rwanda at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo at 5 pm.

In a press statement released on Sunday, titled “Morocco 2025: Despite Ticket in Pocket, Super Eagles Go for Victory Against Amavubi,” published on the Nigeria Football Federation’s website, Eguavoen highlighted the significance of sustaining the team’s momentum.

“We are determined to sustain our recent form and spirit as we prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resuming in four months,” he said.

The match takes place in the absence of important players.

The starting goalkeeper, Nwabali, has departed from the camp due to the passing of his father; defender Olaoluwa Aina has gone back to Nottingham Forest for club responsibilities; and forward Ademola Lookman, who is recovering from an injury sustained during Thursday’s match against Benin Republic, has also left the camp.

Nonetheless, Eguavoen maintains trust in the depth of his team.

“The absence of Nwabali, Aina, and Lookman will not stop our momentum. This team is built to adapt, and we have players ready to step in and deliver,” he said.

The battle for a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) intensifies, with critical games scheduled across various groups.

National teams are competing for prized positions in the 2025 tournament, while supporters eagerly anticipate an exciting series of matches.

At this stage, the nations that have secured qualification include Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ivory Coast (the defending champions), Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, among others.

In Group B, the Central African Republic is set to face Gabon at 20:00 on Monday, with both teams expected to fiercely contest for dominance in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Morocco will also play against Lesotho in a match where the North African powerhouses are widely regarded as the clear favourites.

Group D is expected to deliver thrilling action, as Libya faces Benin at 17:00.

At the same time on the same day, Nigeria will compete against Rwanda, while Benin and Rwanda battle for the final qualification spot.

In Group F, the already eliminated Ghana will take on Niger at 17:00. At the same time, Sudan will play host to Angola in a key match as both teams battle for vital points.

In Group L, Malawi will meet Burkina Faso at 14:00 in an early encounter.