Werder Bremen’s head of professional football, Clemens Fritz, has expressed unwavering confidence that Victor Boniface will meet the high expectations placed on him despite the Nigerian forward’s slow start at the club.

The Super Eagles striker has yet to find the net in eight games since joining the Green-Whites on loan from Bayer Leverkusen just before the summer transfer window closed.

However, Fritz remains firmly convinced that Boniface will come good, comparing the 24-year-old’s early struggles to those of former Werder Bremen legend Ailton.

“I am still firmly convinced that he will meet these expectations,” Fritz stressed at Werder’s annual general meeting.

He went on to draw parallels between Boniface and Ailton, the Brazilian icon who became a club legend with his 28-goal haul during Bremen’s historic 2003/04 double-winning season.

“When I see Victor, I sometimes think back to Ailton’s early days. Victor has Horst Steffen, similar to Ailton with Thomas Schaaf, a coach who takes intensive care of him and also challenges him,” Fritz said.

The Bremen sporting director explained that although Boniface arrived with limited match fitness due to past injuries, the club remains committed to helping him regain top form. This has meant easing him into action, often from the bench, as they focus on building him up physically and mentally.

Fritz emphasised that Boniface is a player who thrives in the right environment and insisted that Werder is providing exactly that.

“At Werder, we continue to give him time and the necessary backing. And Victor wants to repay this trust. I know a lot is expected of him. Victor is a player who needs a good environment. And he has that here at Werder,” he said.

He stressed that the club’s one-year loan plan, even without an option to buy, is designed to benefit both parties, saying, “I am firmly convinced that he will live up to expectations.”