Victor Boniface, the Nigerian forward currently making waves in European football, has revealed that his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong had advised him against joining the German club ahead of the 2023/24 season, citing concerns about the team’s performance and prospects.
Frimpong, who moved from Leverkusen to Liverpool in May 2025, reportedly warned Boniface following Leverkusen’s underwhelming 2022/23 campaign. The team had finished sixth in the Bundesliga, failed to progress beyond the group stage of the Champions League, and suffered an early exit from the DFB-Pokal in the first round, leaving many players and fans disappointed.
Despite the cautionary advice from Frimpong, Boniface opted to join Leverkusen, a decision that ultimately proved fruitful. The young Nigerian striker went on to play a pivotal role in a historic season, helping the club secure a domestic double and setting a European record of 51 consecutive unbeaten matches, a feat that earned him widespread recognition.
His performances were rewarded individually as well, as he was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Year. Frimpong also enjoyed a strong season, appearing in 47 matches across all competitions, providing stability and quality to the team’s defense.
Speaking to the Culture League podcast, Boniface recounted the advice he received from Frimpong, saying: “Before coming to Leverkusen, I called Jeremie. I said, ‘Bro, I have this offer to come to Leverkusen.’ Do you know what he told me? He said, ‘It’s good for you not to come, we are a rubbish team.’ They had a bad season before.”
Boniface added that he later shared Frimpong’s warning with his new teammates in front of the coach, turning the comment into a humorous anecdote during team meetings and bonding sessions, which helped lighten the mood in the locker room.
Currently 23 years old, Boniface is yet to make an appearance this season due to fitness concerns. As a result, he was excluded from Nigeria’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, although he had been included in the provisional list, highlighting ongoing discussions about his readiness and form.