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Boniface delighted to make scoring return after two-month injury layoff

Victor Boniface has expressed his joy at returning to the pitch after being sidelined for nearly two months due to a thigh injury sustained while on international duty last November.

The 24-year-old Nigerian striker made a triumphant return for Bayer Leverkusen in their 3-1 win over TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday, scoring the opening goal in the 15th minute.

After the break, Boniface was substituted for Patrick Schick but celebrated his first appearance since recovering from injury with a goal.

“I feel happy, I feel great. It has been a long time since I’ve been out, I think almost two months, so to be back and playing games is really good for me,” Boniface told the club’s official website.

“It feels good to score, not just as a striker but in general, as a team to score an early goal against a top team like this. It really helps build confidence, and you can see that after the goal, the team gained more confidence to score more.”

Boniface has netted seven goals in 11 league appearances for Leverkusen this season.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold to miss Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham, says Slot

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has seen his future become a hot topic over the last few months with the 26-year-old’s contract running out at the end of the season.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Thursday.

Alexander-Arnold requested to be substituted due to a leg strain during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday, which kept them atop the Premier League.

Slot revealed that the defender would not be available for the Spurs encounter but was hopeful about his recovery. “He is going to miss tomorrow, and we have to see if he can play on Sunday, but he is not available tomorrow,” Slot said.

He added, “I think you saw he left the pitch with a bit of pain in his leg, so that is why he misses tomorrow. He is already on the pitch with the rehab coach, so let’s see how long it takes.”

Liverpool are currently trailing Tottenham 1-0 in the semi-final tie and will need to overcome that deficit in the second leg.

Despite Alexander-Arnold’s absence, the Reds remain in contention across multiple competitions, sitting six points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League, having qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, and preparing for a fourth-round FA Cup clash against Plymouth Argyle.

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Folashade Ijamilusi joins Liaoning Baiye FC in Chinese Women’s Super League

Super Falcons forward Folashade Ijamilusi has signed a two-year contract with Liaoning Baiye FC in the Chinese Women’s Super League.

Ijamilusi joined the Shenyang City-based club from Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) champions, Edo Queens, where she was a standout performer.

The powerful striker played a key role in Edo Queens’ NWFL title win last season, finishing as the league’s top scorer with eight goals. She also contributed significantly to the club’s successful WAFU-B campaign.

Ijamilusi’s impressive form caught the attention of both domestic and international football fans, especially after she scored a hat-trick for the Super Falcons in a friendly against Algeria’s Green Ladies last year.

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Kenneth Omeruo parts ways with Kasimpasa

Nigerian international Kenneth Omeruo has officially parted company with Turkish Super Lig side Kasimpasa by mutual consent, making him a free agent.

The 31-year-old centre-back has faced a challenging season, struggling with injuries that limited him to just five appearances.

Reports suggest that Omeruo is now considering offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Omeruo initially joined Kasimpasa on loan from Chelsea in 2015, returning for another loan spell in 2017 before completing a permanent move in 2023. Over his two stints, he made 85 appearances, scoring two goals and providing three assists.

As he explores his next career move, the seasoned defender remains a valuable option for teams seeking experience and defensive prowess.