Victor Boniface’s limited involvement at Bayer Leverkusen has come under fresh scrutiny after the Nigerian forward reportedly left the substitutes’ area for the dressing room during Saturday’s 4-3 win over Mainz.
Boniface was not among the players introduced by coach Carles Martínez in the closing stages of the Bundesliga encounter. Instead, the coach brought on Equi Fernández and Jonas Hofmann in the 84th minute, reportedly prompting the striker to head inside.
The incident has attracted attention as the 25-year-old continues to struggle for regular playing time at the German club.
His Bundesliga involvement this season has been limited to a five-minute appearance in Leverkusen’s opening-day 3-2 loss to SV Elversberg, during which he assisted Christian Kofane.
He was subsequently left out of the action against Union Berlin, Leipzig and Mainz, and did not feature in the squad for the Augsburg fixture.
Martínez said he was unaware that Boniface had gone into the dressing room during the match but indicated that he would speak with the forward about the situation.
“If that’s what happened, we’ll speak to him,” the coach told Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, insisting that selection decisions were part of football.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes also addressed the matter, making it clear that the club did not expect a repeat of the incident.
“Perhaps he went into the dressing room a little too early today. It won’t happen next time,” the sporting director said.
Rolfes, however, acknowledged Boniface’s progress in training, describing him as a positive presence in the squad and noting improvements in his fitness.
The striker may have a fresh opportunity to fight for minutes following an injury to Christian Kofane, which could affect Leverkusen’s attacking options.
The German side will travel to face Lech Poznań in the Europa League on Thursday, with Boniface hoping to be considered for the fixture.
A return to the pitch would give the Nigerian another chance to convince Martínez that he deserves a bigger role in the team.