Bayer Leverkusen began preparations for the 2026-27 season with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Sportfreunde Baumberg, as Nigeria internationals Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella both found the net in an impressive pre-season display.
Leverkusen dominated the friendly from the opening whistle, controlling proceedings against the lower-league side and producing an attacking performance that underlined the squad’s depth ahead of the new campaign.
The Bundesliga club established control early in the contest, with new signing Afonso Moreira making an immediate impression. The forward scored twice within the opening 27 minutes to mark his debut with a brace and put Leverkusen firmly in command.
Christian Kofane added another goal before the interval, allowing the German side to head into half-time with a commanding advantage after an opening period in which they consistently threatened the opposition defence.
The dominance continued after the restart, with Boniface taking centre stage.
The Nigerian striker scored twice in the space of four minutes, extending Leverkusen’s lead and continuing what has been described as a strong pre-season for the forward. His quick-fire double further highlighted the attacking threat shown by the Bundesliga club throughout the encounter.
Robert Andrich then added a sixth goal in the 56th minute as Leverkusen maintained their relentless approach.
Nathan Tella completed the scoring in the 67th minute, ensuring another Nigeria international joined the scoresheet and rounding off a comprehensive victory for the German side.
The result provided an encouraging beginning to Leverkusen’s preparations for the forthcoming season, with the team’s attacking players making the most of their opportunities in front of goal.
Particular attention will be paid to the performances of Boniface and Tella, whose goals offered another positive sign for the club as pre-season gets under way.
For Boniface, the outing also marked another step in his return after a difficult previous campaign. The striker spent last season on loan at Werder Bremen, but his spell away from Leverkusen was disrupted by injuries that affected his ability to build momentum and produce consistent performances.
His two goals against Sportfreunde Baumberg will therefore be viewed as an encouraging boost as he looks to re-establish himself ahead of the new Bundesliga season.
Tella’s goal also added to the positive mood surrounding Leverkusen’s preparations, with both Nigerian internationals making valuable contributions in the opening friendly of the summer.
Leverkusen’s commanding display, coupled with the impressive debut from Moreira and goals from Boniface, Andrich, Kofane and Tella, ensured the club began its pre-season programme in convincing fashion. The seven-goal victory also provided early momentum as the Bundesliga side continues its build-up to the 2026-27 campaign, with several members of the squad making strong cases for selection through a clinical attacking performance.
Source: African.football
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