Following Leverkusen's first Bundesliga victory last Sunday, beer flowed and Nigerian hip-hop stole the event. Victor Boniface, born in Akure, played a crucial part in transforming the Germans from nearly men to champions.

Bayer Leverkusen is known as the 'Neverkusen' in German football history due to their tendency to come agonisingly near yet fall short of big triumphs.

Karibe Ojigwe, a typical Nigerian example, joined Die Werkself from fellow Bundesliga club Kaiserslautern in 2000.

Before the Aba-born midfielder switched teams, Leverkusen had won only one major prize in its 96-year history: the DFB-Pokal in 1993.

Ojigwe, a member of Kaiserslautern's Bundesliga-winning team in 1997/98, hoped his move to Leverkusen would turn things around and add to his trophy collection.

And with a squad that included U-17 World Cup winner Ojigwe, German midfield enforcer Michael Ballack, Bernd Schneider, Lucio, Robert Kovac, Carsten Ramelow, Ze Roberto, Oliver Neuville, and other top-tier players, it appeared that Leverkusen's fortunes would improve around the turn of the century.

But that was not to be. Ojigwe and his colleagues finished the 2000/01 season as runners-up in the UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga, and DFB-Pokal.

And 'Neverkusen' waited another 22 years for their first Bundesliga title, until Nigerian striker Victor Boniface emerged from Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise to lead the Germans to victory.

Boniface emerged as a catalyst for change, leading Leverkusen to unparalleled success and cementing his place in German football history.

Boniface and his colleagues quickly transformed Leverkusen's fate, changing them from perpetual near-men to Bundesliga champions.

And his incredible journey to sports stardom exemplifies the power of persistence and determination.

Boniface was born in Akure, and his introduction to the beautiful game began on the dusty streets of the Ondo State capital.
His grandparents raised him in a military barracks, and his rigorous upbringing imparted qualities such as perseverance and hard work.

His enthusiasm for football grew in this milieu, attracting the notice of talent scouts throughout his formative years at the Real Sapphire Academy in Lagos.

Despite his exceptional talent on the field, Boniface's career was plagued by personal tragedy. The sudden death of his mother in a tragic accident placed a pall over his ambitions, leaving him reeling with grief and uncertainty.

"I stopped paying attention to my diet and started partying," he told me.

"I wasn't a drinker before, but I started drinking to feel something. I was depressed without even realising it."

Furthermore, a series of devastating injuries, including two anterior cruciate ligament tears, threatened to destroy his sporting goals.

Rather than give in to despair, Boniface sought peace in the game, transforming his suffering into an unwavering pursuit of excellence.

And his journey to Europe represented a watershed moment in his football career. Joining Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt in 2019, he rapidly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, contributing significantly to the club's remarkable success.

Boniface thrived under the bright lights of the Eliteserien, helping Bodo/Glimt win back-to-back league titles and earning widespread accolades for his spectacular displays.

Their 2020 victory, in Boniface's inaugural season, marked the club's first top-of-the-table result in Norway.

After a brief stint in Belgium, he joined Union Saint-Gilloise, where he proceeded to demonstrate his abilities on the European arena, winning the Europa League top scorer award for the 2022/23 season.

He also came close to capturing the Belgian league title, as the club finished second in the Pro League, trailing only champions Genk on goal difference.

This would have been the club's first title since 1935.

Boniface netted 15 times during that season, drawing praise for his performances, as well as six goals in the Europa League as Union reached the quarter-finals where they lost to Leverkusen although the Nigeria international found the back of the net once in the two-legged tie.

Boniface's proficiency in front of goal and energetic playing style drew the attention of Leverkusen scouts, and this summer, he completed a high-profile move to the BayArena for a reported €20.5 million, beginning a new chapter in his career with the Bundesliga's nearly men.

Arriving at Leverkusen amid mistrust and doubt, Boniface wasted no time in silencing his critics and leaving a lasting impact on the club's history.

Boniface won August's Bundesliga Player of the Month title, as well as four straight Rookie of the Month accolades (August, September, October, and November), which are given to players under the age of 23 at the start of the season.

His dancing celebration became synonymous with German fans, and everything was going well for the forward until a groin injury in January forced him to withdraw from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles finished second.

"Only God knows why," he wrote on social media platform X, before telling BBC Sport Africa, "There are some things that will happen, you can't explain it because it's beyond your own understanding."

Boniface had already experienced Nations Cup misery, having missed the 2019 U-20 AFCON due to another late injury.

However, the striker returned in time in April to help Die Werkself during a critical stage of the competition. He scored in his third game back, helping Leverkusen defeat West Ham 3-1 on aggregate in the Europa League quarterfinals.

April 14 was a watershed moment in Leverkusen's illustrious history, when they won their first Bundesliga title after 120 years.

Boniface scored his second goal after returning from injury, the opening goal in a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen, breaking Bayern Munich's league dominance.

Boniface was among those who led the attack, scoring 11 goals and assisting nine times in 18 league games. Despite suffering a groin injury that sidelined him for much of the season, his efforts were apparent, as he played a key role in the club's historic victory.

As Leverkusen fans flooded onto the ground to celebrate, the 23-year-old Nigerian sent a message to them.

"We are celebrating a great achievement in the league but we still have two other competitions (Europa League and German Cup final) to compete in and try to win for our fans," he added.

As Bayer Leverkusen celebrates their historic victory, Boniface's future seems bright.

With the Europa League semi-final and German Cup final approaching, he is determined to add to his already impressive trophy cabinet.

Boniface, who has fully recovered from his groin injury, now has the opportunity to help his beloved club win the treble, and he appears to be in good condition, having scored twice in the last three games.

The next match is the Europa League semi-final versus high-flying Roma in Italy on May 2.

The German Cup final versus Kaiserslautern on May 25 will be a fantastic opportunity to round off his first season with the club on a positive note.

"I have won a league title before," Boniface stated as the beer flowed freely at the BayArena last Sunday. "However, this is different. "This is bigger."

His remarkable rise was not ignored, gaining him significant accolades and respect around the football world.

CAF's X account responded to the Nigerian's stellar season, writing, "They said there's a first time for everything, so Boniface made sure the first was his."

Oliseh, a Bundesliga winner with Borussia Dortmund in 2001/02, also spoke highly of his compatriot.

"Victor Boniface was once again outstanding as Leverkusen won its first Bundesliga title with five games remaining. Boniface is powerful, talented, intelligent, mobile, and calm under pressure, and I am confident that he will lead Nigeria to AFCON glory and beyond shortly. "Congrats, bro," Oliseh wrote on his X handle.

Leverkusen discovered a revolutionary force in Boniface, surpassing expectations and reshaping the club's character.

From the streets of Akure to the hallowed grounds of the Bay Arena, his story exemplifies the rewards of hard effort and stands as a light of hope for footballers around the world.

As 'Neverkusen' slips into obscurity, 'Leverkusen' develops, thanks to the unwavering energy of one man, Victor Boniface, who is leading them to new heights.