SUPER Eagles of Nigeria striker Victor Boniface marked his return to full fitness with a goal tonight, netting in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 victory over West Ham in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg clash in Germany.
In the same competition, Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was an unused substitute as Atalanta produced the shock of the night to beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield.
Boniface, who only recently returned from a long-term injury lay-off, headed home Bayer Leverkusen’s second goal after coming on as a late substitute against the stubborn English side.
The 23-year-old Nigeria international was making only his second appearance since his injury in January, and he was introduced in the 76th minute with the score still 0-0.
Jonas Hofmann, who came on at the same time as Boniface, opened the scoring in the 83rd minute and the Nigerian made it a healthier first leg lead for Bayer Leverkusen in stoppage time with a smart close-range header.
It was Boniface’s fifth goal in six Europa League appearances this season and his 17th strike in 26 matches in all competitions.
Boniface’s Super Eagles teammate Nathan Tella was a 67th minute substitute for Bayer Leverkusen, who stretched their remarkable unbeaten run this season to 42 matches.
At Anfield, Lookman watched on from the bench as his Atalanta teammates took Liverpool apart at a stunned Anfield, with Gianluca Scamacca scoring twice and Mario Pasalic adding the third.
Former West Ham striker Scamacca struck in the 38th and 60th minutes while Pasalic, who was once on the books of Chelsea, netted with seven minutes left on the clock.
In other UEFA Europa League quarter-final clashes tonight, AS Roma defeated AC Milan 1-0 away and Benfica secured a 2-1 home win over Marseille.
