Nigerian youngster prepares in style for potential record-making European night

A Nigerian forward could write his name in the history books with a Norwegian club when the next round of European fixtures kickoff in midweek

Victor Boniface got his first goal of the two-week-old Norwegian season to inspire Bodø/Glimt to a narrow 2-1 win at Sandefjord on Sunday.

Boniface broke the deadlock at the Release Arena in the 13th minute for his 11th goal in the colours of the Yellow Horde. Deyver Vega equalised for Sandefjord in the second half, but Ulrik Saltnes grabbed the winner for the visitors in the 76th minute.

Only just 21, Boniface is already a two-time Norwegian champion, having been part of the Bodø/Glimt sides that lifted the Eliteserien in 2020 and 2021.

Bodø/Glimt are experiencing the most successful period in its history, winning the league twice in a row and reaching the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

They were impressive in beating Roma 2-1 in the first leg of their Conference League clash at the Aspmyra Stadion, Bodo. Boniface played the last 14 minutes of that encounter.

Glimt will match a European record of 20 matches – the most ever – played in a season with the return leg in Roma on Thursday.

Four clubs – Basel, Bordeaux, Villarreal, and Salzburg – have in the past reached 20 games of the season. However, no team has ever reached 21 games.

UEFA has confirmed that Glimt could make a new record of 21 games should they avoid a defeat against Jose Mourinho’s side.

Boniface will hope to feature in that encounter, with the Nigerian likely to be crucial to any hopes of Glimt sealing a semifinal spot in the Conference League.