Player Spotlight: Victor Boniface and Achraf Hakimi

Today’s player spotlights shine a light on some of football’s most exciting talents. Here’s everything you need to know.

Victor Boniface

Boniface Announces Injury Comeback With Brace In 7-0 Pre-Season Win

Bayer Leverkusen | Forward | Nigerian

Key stat: Scored twice in four second-half minutes as Leverkusen thrashed Sportfreunde Baumberg 7-0

Victor Boniface marked his return from a long injury layoff by netting twice in Bayer Leverkusen’s pre-season opener, having spent last season hampered by fitness problems during a loan spell at Werder Bremen.

He was the first player to report for pre-season training this summer, a clear signal of his intent to fight for his place.

Fellow Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella also scored in the same match as Leverkusen made an emphatic statement ahead of their new campaign.

“No public statement available at this time.”

— Victor Boniface

Achraf Hakimi

Hakimi Becomes Africa’s All-Time World Cup Appearance Leader As Morocco Fall In Quarterfinals

Paris Saint-Germain / Morocco | Right-back | Moroccan

Key stat: Set the record for most World Cup appearances by an African player during Morocco’s 2026 campaign

Achraf Hakimi was again Morocco’s driving force at the 2026 World Cup, setting up the winner against Canada to send the Atlas Lions into the quarterfinals for a second straight tournament.

Morocco’s run ended 2-0 to France, with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele closing out the deepest run by any African side at this World Cup.

Hakimi addressed Moroccans and Africans afterwards with a message of resilience and pride in what the team had achieved.

“No public statement available at this time.”

— Achraf Hakimi

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