By Victor Kanayo
Nigerian international and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, TSG Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier and PSG loanee to RB Leipzig have been listed for the 2023-24 German Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award.
This was disclosed by the Bundesliga leadership via its website on Monday.
Boniface nomination, Heritage Times HT reports that the Super Eagles star led Leverkusen to their first league title this season despite missing a few months due to injury.
The 23-year-old striker has so far scored 13 goals and provided eight assists in 22 appearances so far in the league so far this season.
He could add to his tally against Augsburg this weekend.
So far this season, Boniface won four Rookie of the Month awards (August, September, October, and November) and will face stiff competition from Ian Maatsen, a player on loan from Chelsea at Borussia Dortmund, and former Barcelona star Xavi Simons.
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Another player up for the award is Beier, who has scored 15 league goals and provided one assist, according to Bundesliga’s official website.
Among the three contenders, Boniface is largely the favourite to win the accolade because his team are the champions and have the chance to win the treble while being unbeaten this season.
Leverkusen are still running for the UEFA Europa League, where they will face Atalanta in the finals on Wednesday, May 22.
Xabi Alonso’s side will also face FC Kaiserslautern in the final of the DFB Pokal on Saturday, May 25.
Leverkusen defeated Bochum 0-5 last weekend with Boniface scoring one of the goals.
