Soccer
Victor Boniface, Edmond Tapsoba, florian wirtz, Nathan Tella all Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Copyright: Imago
Two Super Eagles attackers who ply their trade with Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface, had to deal with lengthy injury spells last season, but one of them is keen on returning to the National team fold, Soccernet.ng reports.
While Boniface spent most of his time on loan at Werder Bremen, Tella remained at the Bay Arena and dealt with three different injuries that kept him out for almost 30 games.
The 27-year-old endured a frustrating season, but despite his injury woes, Bayer Leverkusen showed faith in the Nigerian international by extending his contract until 2031 in March.
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Soccer Nathan Tella eyes Super Eagles return after Bayer Leverkusen injury layoff
Now back in full training ahead of the new season, the former Southampton winger is determined to leave his fitness problems behind and fight his way back into both club and international contention.
“I feel good. I had a restful summer break and was able to become fully fit again,” Tella told Rheinische Post.
“The period was naturally very frustrating for me, but I want to take that feeling and turn it into something positive.”
The versatile attacker admitted his immediate priority is staying available for selection throughout the season.
“The goal now is to remain injury-free. I do not want to play one good game and then miss the next five again. I need more consistency in my fitness and, consequently, in the number of games I can play in succession.”
Tella also revealed that returning to the Nigerian national team remains one of his biggest ambitions for the upcoming campaign.
“I want to return to the national team,” the Leverkusen star said.
“Of course, it was very frustrating that Nigeria were not at the World Cup and that I missed many of the qualification games.
“Now, a new season and a new opportunity begin. Playing for Nigeria again is my dream.”
The former Burnley winger has not featured for the Super Eagles since the 2025 Unity Cup, with injuries limiting his involvement during Eric Chelle’s early months in charge.
Tella made his senior Nigeria debut in 2023 and has earned two caps for the three-time African champions.
With Nigeria preparing for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers and a renewed push towards the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a fully fit Tella could provide Eric Chelle with another attacking option.
The Leverkusen attacker faces stiff competition for places from the likes of Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Femi Azeez and Samuel Chukwueze, but his versatility could work in his favour.
Tella can operate on either flank or through the middle, a trait he believes increases his chances of earning regular minutes.
“There are times when I would like to be fixed to one position, but being versatile means my chances of playing are automatically greater,” he added.
“My wish is naturally to collect as many minutes as possible.”
After a campaign overshadowed by injuries, the coming season may represent a fresh start for the former Arsenal academy product as he seeks to rediscover his best form and force his way back into the Super Eagles squad.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual CAF-Accredited sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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