Victor Boniface came off the bench to score a decisive late goal as Bayer Leverkusen ended their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday.
Boniface and Nathan Tella were introduced as substitutes with 10 minutes remaining, and the Nigerian forward made an immediate impact by grabbing the winner in the 82nd minute. He dribbled past his marker before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
Leverkusen had taken a dream start, scoring in the first minute through Ibrahim Mazda. Newcastle responded just before halftime, with Malick Thiaw drawing the teams level.
The result marked Leverkusen’s sixth win in seven pre-season matches, with their only defeat coming in a 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest. They now turn their attention to the new season, which begins next Saturday in the first round of the DFB-Pokal against third division side Wehen Wiesbaden.
Boniface spent last season on loan at Werder Bremen, where he made 11 league appearances and provided two assists during an injury-ravaged campaign.
Boniface’s late heroics ensure Leverkusen head into the new campaign with momentum, as they look to build on a strong pre-season showing.
