VICTOR Boniface, the Super Eagles and Werder Bremen striker, has publicly credited award-winning Nigerian singer Teni for standing by him through one of the most difficult periods of his football career following months of injury and surgery that threatened to derail his season entirely, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
News Point Nigeria Sport report that Boniface, 25, underwent surgery on January 10 after suffering severe cartilage damage during a Bundesliga match in December 2025.
The procedure was carried out by renowned surgeon Dr. Christian Fink in Innsbruck, Austria, following months of persistent knee pain that eventually forced the striker to cut short a difficult loan spell at Werder Bremen.
The Nigerian international had earlier admitted that he was putting on a “fake smile” while continuing to play through the injury.
In a post shared on his official X account, Boniface singled out Teni, whose real name is Teniola Apata, for the care and warmth she showed throughout his recovery process.
“After my surgery, I know how many times Teni Entertainer call to check on me. Respect,” he wrote.
Teni remains one of Nigeria’s most recognisable music stars, widely known for hit songs such as Case, Uyo Meyo and Billionaire.
The singer rose to prominence after the release of Fargin in 2017 and later won Rookie of the Year at the The Headies as well as Best New Artist at the Soundcity MVP Awards in 2018.
In 2022, she was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger for her contributions to Nigerian music and culture.
Boniface’s recovery has, however, entered a more encouraging phase in recent weeks.
The striker returned to the bench for Bremen’s 1-1 Bundesliga draw against VfB Stuttgart on April 26, marking his first matchday squad appearance in more than three months, although he remained an unused substitute.
Werder Bremen manager Daniel Thioune has reportedly spoken about a “fitness deficit” that the club is carefully managing as the striker works his way back to full fitness.
Boniface is expected to feature from the bench in Bremen’s final two league matches against TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund.
Werder Bremen currently sit 15th on the Bundesliga table and require just one more point from their remaining matches to secure survival in the German top flight.
Boniface first rose to prominence in Germany during Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten title-winning season under Xabi Alonso in the 2023/24 campaign.
During that remarkable season, the Nigerian striker contributed 14 goals and eight assists as the club completed an invincible domestic campaign, earning him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award.
Although recurring injuries have slowed his progress in recent months, Boniface will now hope that his rehabilitation and expected return to action mark the beginning of a genuine comeback.