By Korede James
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface marked his return from a thigh injury with a goal as Bayer Leverkusen defeated Hoffenheim 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Also on target in the match was Nigerian striker Gift Orban, who has now scored in back-to-back Bundesliga matches for Hoffenheim.
Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella also featured for Xabi Alonso’s side but came off in the 42nd minute.
Boniface was on the verge of leaving the Bundesliga champions for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in the January transfer window but the deal fell through.
He put that behind him as he fired Leverkusen 1-0 ahead on 15 minutes as he volleyed in a low left-foot strike.
Leverkusen added the second goal four minutes later as Jeremie Frimpong outpaced his marker on the right and slotted past the keeper.
Patrik Schick then made it 3-0 in the 51st minute with a volley into the roof of the net.
However, Leverkusen were reduced to 10 men on 61 minutes as Alex Grimaldo was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for a rash tackle.
Orban then pulled a goal back on 62 minutes as he bundled home from a goal mouth scramble.
The win means second-placed Leverkusen are are six points behind leaders Bayern Munich, while Hoffenheim are 15th in the 18-team table.
