Super Eagles attacker Victor Boniface has addressed comments about his claim of paying 30 naira to watch the UEFA Champions League during his childhood, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward, in a conversation with Nigerian journalist Sulaiman Adebayo, popularly known as Pooja, appeared unfazed by the reactions to his comments.
Earlier, the Nigerian international recounted his early days in Akure, where he paid just 30 naira to watch Champions League matches at the 323 Army Barracks. Years later, he achieved his dream of stepping onto the pitch in Europe’s most prestigious tournament, now playing for the German side.
In Nigeria, it’s common for football fans to flock to viewing centres, paying to watch their favourite teams compete on the grand stage of the Champions League. Boniface, once one of those fans, has come full circle—from paying to watch the action to being part of it for Bayer Leverkusen.
“From paying 30 naira to watch Champions League football at night back then at 323 Army Barracks, Akure, to playing my first Champions League game. Proud of this moment,” Boniface wrote on social media.
However, some people doubted his claim, questioning whether it was possible to watch a game for that amount at the time. Some even speculated that, if true, Boniface might be older than he claims.
In response, the Super Eagles talisman, ahead of Nigeria’s clash against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, remained indifferent to the scepticism.
“People need to understand that Akure wasn’t as developed as Lagos back then, and I grew up in a military barracks. Sometimes, if you were watching a game in the military barracks, you didn’t have to pay. If you go to my barracks, they will confirm this. So whatever people want to say, that’s their problem. Like I said, I post my meme and leave it there [on social media]. Whatever anyone wants to say is on them. I don’t really care,” Boniface told Pooja.
The Super Eagles will be without Napoli-owned Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen for the upcoming clash against Libya, but will rely on Boniface’s professionalism in the attack as they aim to secure three points.