Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been overshadowed by the heartbreaking loss of Benjamin Fredrick, but the Super Eagles finally have reason to breathe a little easier. After 91 days on the sidelines, center-back Igoh Ogbu has made a successful return to action for Slavia Prague, and his comeback could not have come at a more crucial time for Eric Chelle’s squad.
Ogbu Returns After 91 Days Out
Ogbu stepped back onto the pitch on Saturday, featuring for the final 19 minutes of Slavia Prague’s 3–0 victory over Slovacko. It was his first competitive appearance since August 30, 2025, after being sidelined with a recurring hamstring injury that disrupted both his club season and international commitments.
That setback forced him to miss Nigeria’s vital 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures, leaving a noticeable gap in depth for the Super Eagles. His last outing for the national team came in June during a friendly against Russia, and his prolonged absence removed a key defensive option from Chelle’s plans.
Now, with AFCON 2025 in Morocco just weeks away, Ogbu’s fitness and reintegration into match play offer Nigeria an immediate and significant defensive reinforcement.
Return Comes at the Perfect Time After Fredrick Blow
The timing of Ogbu’s recovery is especially important because the Super Eagles were dealt a massive blow with the loss of Benjamin Fredrick, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most in-form defender.
Fredrick, on loan at Belgian side Dender from Brentford, suffered a training-ground injury that will rule him out beyond the AFCON tournament. His absence has sent shockwaves through the national team setup, considering he had started Nigeria’s last six matches and emerged as a cornerstone of the defence.
Versatile enough to play center-back, right-back, or defensive midfield, Fredrick gave Nigeria tactical flexibility and stability in multiple systems. His star-making performances during the World Cup qualifiers, including a standout display against Gabon, where he completely nullified Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga, cemented his status as one of Africa’s most exciting young defenders. Even Captain William Troost-Ekong publicly hailed him as “the future” of Nigeria’s defence.
Replacing him outright is almost impossible.
Ogbu Brings Stability, Leadership and Experience
While Ogbu does not offer the same multi-positional versatility that Fredrick provides, he brings qualities the Super Eagles urgently need: experience, physical presence, strong anticipation, and leadership in the back line.
His return ensures that Nigeria does not go into AFCON short-handed in central defence, and with the tournament less than a month away, he has just enough time to regain full sharpness and match rhythm before the final squad selection.
For Chelle and his technical crew, Ogbu’s comeback feels like a stroke of good fortune arriving at the perfect moment, a stabilising presence returning just when the defensive unit needed reinforcement the most.
As the Super Eagles continue their countdown to Morocco, Ogbu’s recovery is the first piece of positive news in weeks. Now, Nigeria will hope he stays fit, finds form quickly, and helps steady a backline still reeling from Fredrick’s irreplaceable loss.
