Simon Rolfes, managing director of Bayer Leverkusen, has confirmed that if Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella are selected for the national team roster for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, they will be released to the Nigeria Football Federation.
The CEO of Bayer Leverkusen, Fernando Carro, had previously stated that he was thinking of taking legal action to stop Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface from representing the Super Eagles at the AFCON. Carro cited the competition's dates, which are set for January 13–February 11, 2024. In the face of media speculation that Bayer Leverkusen wants to prevent at least one player from participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, Rolfes has made it clear that the aforementioned players will not be convinced to decline a call-up.
“If they are called up, they will go,” Rolfes told Kicker about the five Bayer Leverkusen players who are set to represent their countries at the AFCON.
By January 3, 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation must submit their final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Within the next nine days, the Confederation of African Football must receive a provisional roster with 55 players on it.
For the Africa Cup of Nations, Bayer Leverkusen is required by FIFA regulations to release Boniface and Tella.
