Raphael Onyedika has spoken about his close friendship with Victor Boniface and his admiration for Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha after joining Eintracht Frankfurt, Footynaija reports.
The 25-year-old midfielder moved from Club Brugge to Frankfurt on 2 August and signed a contract until June 2031. He was given the No. 25 shirt after four seasons in Belgium, where he won two league titles, the Belgian Cup and the Belgian Super Cup. He has also played 24 Champions League matches and won 26 Nigeria caps.
Onyedika is now following a path that has a strong Nigerian link at Frankfurt. Okocha played for the German club from 1992 to 1996 and made 90 Bundesliga appearances. His most famous moment came on 31 August 1993, when he dribbled past several Karlsruhe players before scoring against goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. The goal later won the 1993 Goal of the Year award in Germany.
Onyedika was asked about Boniface, who also has a strong connection with Germany through his career at Bayer Leverkusen. The two Nigerians have built a close friendship, despite playing for different clubs in the Bundesliga.
“He is like a brother to me and I think everyone in Nigeria knows how close I am with him, but he is like a brother to me. We speak like every day,” Onyedika told the Bundesliga in an interview made available to Footynaija.
Onyedika said their friendship is based on a strong understanding that has developed since they first met.
“I mean, I would say that we have a good link. We have a good connection like we match each other, and ever since we met – we have our misunderstandings sometimes, but I think it’s like my very good friend, I consider him a brother.”
Boniface has previously spoken about growing up on a military base, where his grandfather was stationed. He said he played football there before joining an academy.
Onyedika confirmed that Boniface had told him about that part of his childhood.
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“Yes, he told me about it. He grew up there.”
When asked if Boniface’s father was a soldier, Onyedika corrected the detail.
“No, no, no, I think his dad was a soldier, but my dad wasn’t a soldier.”
The conversation then turned to Okocha, a name Onyedika knows well from childhood. Okocha’s Frankfurt career is still remembered by supporters, especially because of his famous goal against Kahn.
“I mean, as a kid I looked up to him, like every child looks up to him. He’s like a big legend in Nigeria. And I know he is a big legend here as well.”
Onyedika had also seen the famous goal.
“I mean, we know him. He dribbles a lot and he’s very good with his feet, so I saw the goal against Oliver Kahn.”
He described Okocha as a role model for Nigerian footballers.
“He’s a role model, I think, for everyone that plays football in Nigeria because he’s a very, very big legend. So, his stories have been told even up till now. Everyone in Nigeria loves him.”
Onyedika’s first competitive chance with Frankfurt comes in the DFB Cup, while the club’s Bundesliga season opens away to Union Berlin on 29 August.
