Werder Bremen coach hails Victor Boniface as first-choice super-sub

The head coach of Werder Bremen, Horst Steffen, has praised Nigerian international Victor Boniface for his “exceptional” attributes, stating that he is now his preferred first-choice option off the bench.

Steffen made the remarks ahead of Bremen’s Bundesliga clash with Union Berlin, confirming that Boniface who joined from Bayer Leverkusen on loan has impressed the coaching staff with his technical ability and physical strength.

Despite not yet starting regularly due to fitness concerns, the coach insisted that Boniface’s role is central to his attacking plans, even ahead of fellow forward Ke Ke Topp. “Victor is a candidate whose potential we all know, and his exceptional abilities are so exceptional that I currently prefer him as the first substitute,” Steffen said.

Steffen added that once both Boniface and Topp regain full form, their internal competition will only enhance the team’s offensive options. “We have two skilled centre-forwards who are both on their way,” he explained.

Editorial

We believe that Victor Boniface’s elevation in the pecking order at Werder Bremen is more than a simple vote of confidence it signals a strategic shift in how clubs manage and deploy their forward talent. The decision to favour him as the first choice off the bench speaks to a recognition that impact substitutes are increasingly vital in the rhythm of modern football.

From our perspective, Bayern’s spotlight-grabbing stars often overshadow the players quietly doing the heavy lifting. Boniface now occupies that space a player with the brute physical qualities and technical nuance to change games, yet one still building full match fitness. His role as a super-sub is, in fact, a smart calibration of expectation and readiness he can influence without the burden of full-time starting demands while his conditioning catches up.

We observe that this approach also places responsibility on the coaching staff and club structure. Deploying him smartly means assessing not only his minutes but also his integration into the team’s tactical systems, his adaptation to match-temperature situations, and his mental readiness. The fact that Steffen already places him ahead of Topp underlines the belief but also the urgency of development.

If Boniface continues down this path, this scenario could become a blueprint for how clubs treat promising young forwards rather than thrusting them prematurely into the starting XI, they are given a clear pathway to contribution, impact and eventual primacy. We hold that Boniface is on such a trajectory, and the way Bremen manage his transition will speak volumes about their forward-planning acumen.

We believe that this endorsement from Steffen is not just for one player it reflects a broader mindset opportunity through progression, rather than prestige through immediate demand. And as Boniface steps into this spotlight, we watch with optimism.

Did You Know?

1. Victor Boniface became the most expensive Nigerian to join a German club when he moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Werder Bremen on loan (with treaty options) earlier this season.
2. Werder Bremen have previously nurtured Nigerian attackers for instance, Finidi George played for the club in the 1990s, creating a legacy of Nigerian talent in Bremen.
3. Steffen’s decision to call Boniface his preferred substitute is a rare public statement in the Bundesliga managers typically avoid naming a player’s exact role in such terms.
4. Boniface holds the record for most assists by a Nigerian player in a single Bundesliga club season at his previous club before the move.
5. At 24 years old, Boniface is one of the younger forwards in the Bremen first-team squad, suggesting the club’s intention to invest in him for the medium term rather than solely short-term impact.