'Naija boys' - Leverkusen hype Boniface and Tella ahead first preseason game

Bayer Leverkusen has thrown the spotlight on Nigerian forwards Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella as the squad finaised preparation for their first preseason match under new head coach Erik Ten Hag.

The duo rejoined their teammates afte the holidays, ready to impress the new management following Xabi Alonso’s departure to Real Madrid after two seasons in charge.

As Leverkusen prepare to face Flamengo’s U20 team in Brazil, Boniface and Tella have been putting in solid work during training sessions.

To showcase the duo’s commitment, the club shared a series of pictures on X, captioned simply: “Naija boys with full focus.”

The energetic timing couldn’t be better, with Ten Hag set to stamp his style on the Bundesliga side ahead of the new campaign.

Fans are excited to see how their Super Eagles stars, Boniface and Tella, both seen as rising stars, will fit into the former Manchester United manager’s plans.

The Nigerian forwards, known for their pace and scoring ability, will look to build on their promising starts last season as Leverkusen aim for silverware and strong European performances in 2025/26.

The early training buzz and the “Naija boys” message underline the optimism surrounding their impact in the upcoming season.

Both Nigerians will be hoping for a better season this term, especially striker Boniface, who struggled for most of last season due to injuries.

The 24-year-old managed just 27 appearances last season, scoring 11 goals and one assist as Leverkusen failed in their bid to defend their historic domestic double in Germany.