The now-deleted Instagram post of Super Eagles attacker, Victor Boniface, sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community, Soccernet.ng reports.
Just after the clash against the Russian national football team, Boniface, who was again unlucky in his 61 minutes of play, was frustrated to have not been able to extend his tally from just one goal in the national team jersey.
The former Union Saint-Gilloise forward took to his social media page to extend his pride in donning the Super Eagles jersey and ended his caption with hanging his boot, which many suggested was a call to retire from the national team at the age of 24.
“Proud to play for my country and a dream for me. Also, I really enjoyed every moment, the good and the bad. Thanks a lot. Thank you All. I don hang boot” he wrote in a now-deleted post.
While the result itself was respectable, it’s what followed that dominated the headlines. A player celebrated across Europe for his explosive form at Bayer Leverkusen appeared to hint at early international retirement. Fans were stunned. Many were divided. Some even mocked it.
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But underneath the surface, Boniface’s message is about pressure, expectation, and how quickly the Nigerian football community can be to turn on one of its own.
Club Hero, Country Scapegoat?
Boniface has had a remarkable season in Germany, no doubt. He was instrumental in helping Bayer Leverkusen go unbeaten in the Bundesliga and was named the league’s Rookie of the Season. He’s powerful and goal-hungry and has everything fans love in a striker.
Yet, in the green and white of Nigeria, he’s still finding his rhythm. Just one goal and one assist in 13 appearances for the Super Eagles have been enough for critics to dismiss his potential entirely.
The difference in form is undeniable, but what’s often forgotten is that international football requires more than just being powerful—it calls for adaptation. Unfortunately, some fans don’t wait for that process.
When Criticism Becomes Cruel
Constructive criticism is part of the game. Every footballer knows that. But there’s a fine line between fair analysis and online abuse. In Boniface’s case, a large part of the commentary has leaned toward the latter.
The flood of negativity that follows every Super Eagles game has been relentless. The issue isn’t whether fans should hold players accountable—they should—but how it’s being done.
When criticism turns personal, when it becomes a campaign of public shaming, it can break even the strongest of players.
Boniface Needs a Break, Not a Goodbye
If Boniface does step away, it should be viewed as a temporary break—a moment to recharge. Outright retirement at just 24 years old, especially from international duty, feels reactionary.
The pressure of playing for Nigeria can be overwhelming, especially when expectations are not met immediately. But the answer is not to shut the door; it’s to find a way forward with better support.
Nigeria has seen players step away before. Some returned. Others didn’t. But all of them left with a part of them broken by the system meant to lift them.
Boniface might be struggling for form in a Super Eagles jersey, but he’s still one of the brightest talents Nigeria has abroad. If anything, this is the time to lift him up, not push him out.