Victor Boniface faced public criticism after a subdued showing as Werder Bremen drew 1-1 with FC Cologne at the Weser Stadium on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker was introduced as a 70th-minute substitute for Keke Topp, but pockets of the home crowd expressed displeasure with audible whistles as the match closed. Observers noted several occasions where Boniface failed to make forward progress from static situations, leading to lost possession and limited involvement in decisive play.
Werder Bremen opened the scoring through Marco Friedl in the 22nd minute, but Said El Mala levelled for Cologne in stoppage time to snatch a point for the visitors.
Addressing questions after the game, coach Horst Steffen kept his remarks brief: “We don’t have to constantly evaluate individual players now,” he said, adding, “Maybe a goal will help him to become even stronger.”
Boniface — currently on loan at Werder Bremen — acknowledged recent struggles and recurring physical issues in an interview with the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. He said, “In football, it’s like this: If you play well one season, score goals, everyone expects you to do it the same way the next season. Otherwise people just start talking.” On managing pain and pressure he added, “From my time in Norway until now I have had a lot of pain, but I have made it this far. I’m really happy that I managed to play football for such top clubs at all, so I don’t know fear anymore. I have to live with it.”
