Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Victor Boniface was on target as he helped his side Bayer Leverkusen to secure the German Super cup.
Leverkusen defeated Stuttgart via penalties after the regulation time ended in a draw.
Boniface opened the scoring in the 11th minute after being spotted by Topsiba, putting the champions on cojrse for another title.
Victor Boniface’s 11th-minute goal was cancelled out four minutes later when Stuttgart’s Enzo Millot levelled.
Leverkusen were then reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time when Martin Terrier saw red for a dangerous tackle.
Deniz Undav gave Stuttgart the lead in the second half but Patrik Schick scored with two minutes remaining to equalise for Leverkusen and send the match to penalties.
Bayern Munich loanee Frans Kraetzig and Silas Mvumpa missed from the spot while Leverkusen converted all of their penalties.
The season curtain-raiser, which puts the Bundesliga champions up against the Cup winners or league runners-up, was the first not to feature either Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund since 1993.
Stuttgart’s stunning effort last season, where the club went from a narrow relegation escape to second place ahead of Bayern, preceded a summer of upheaval as several star players left.
Unbeaten winners of the Bundesliga and German Cup double last campaign, Leverkusen had managed to avoid any major departures and started stronger on Saturday.
