Victor Boniface delivered a brace as Bayer Leverkusen dismantled Sportfreunde Baumberg 7-0 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, while Arthur Okonkwo produced another shutout in Wrexham’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Helsinki, with several Nigerian players enjoying productive outings.
Leverkusen’s summer signing Afonso Moreira set the tone with two early goals inside 27 minutes before Christian Kofane extended the advantage to three before the interval.
Boniface then struck twice within four minutes after the break to put the result beyond doubt. Robert Andrich added the sixth in the 56th minute, while fellow Nigerian Nathan Tella completed the emphatic win with Leverkusen’s seventh goal in the 67th minute.
After an injury-disrupted loan spell at Werder Bremen last season, Boniface will be aiming to use his return to the BayArena to regain form and establish himself in the squad.
Okonkwo also continued his encouraging pre-season performances, keeping Manchester United at bay as Wrexham claimed a narrow win in Helsinki.
The clean sheet came on the back of another solid display in a goalless draw against Wisla Krakow, where the Nigerian goalkeeper denied a second-half penalty.
At Meadow Lane, Super Eagles pair Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi featured as Nottingham Forest began life under new head coach Olivier Glasner with a comfortable 2-0 win over Notts County. Igor Jesus put Forest ahead in the 26th minute before Arnaud Kalimuendo sealed the victory with a second goal early in the second half.
Aina started the encounter and helped Forest preserve a first-half clean sheet before being replaced by Nicolas Dominguez at the break.
Awoniyi was introduced after half-time as he continued his preparations for the new campaign, having ended last season strongly with three goals and two assists in his final six league outings, finishing with four goals and two assists in 17 Premier League appearances.
Tella has also received a significant vote of confidence ahead of the new season after Leverkusen’s new manager, Carles Martinez, reportedly contacted him during his holiday in Ibiza to reassure the winger that he remains an important part of his plans following an injury-plagued 2025/26 season.
“The coach is very vocal and provides a lot of communication. That is what we need as a team. It is good that the coach gives us the clear idea of what he expects from us as a team and what he expects from us on the pitch,” Tella said, in quotes carried by Fussballeuropa.
