Nigeria’s hopes ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations suffered a major setback after young defender Benjamin Fredrick was ruled out of next month’s tournament in Morocco due to a knee injury sustained in training.
Belgian club FC Dender confirmed that the 19-year-old will be sidelined for approximately 12 weeks, ruling him out of March’s AFCON campaign and delivering a significant blow to the Super Eagles’ defensive plans.
Injury Halts Breakthrough Season
Fredrick picked up the injury during a routine session last Friday and was subsequently absent from Dender’s second league win of the season against Royal Antwerp. Medical scans later confirmed that the talented centre-back will not be fit in time for Nigeria’s AFCON campaign.
His absence leaves a huge void, especially with fellow defender Ola Aina still working his way back from injury.
Major Loss for Super Eagles’ Backline
Since making his debut during the Unity Cup in London last May, where he featured against Jamaica, Fredrick has quickly become an undisputed starter for Nigeria.
Often deployed at centre-back and occasionally as a right-back in place of captain William Troost-Ekong, he has earned praise for his
- Tactical intelligence
- Calmness in possession
- Ability to read danger
- Composure under pressure
- Versatility across the defensive line
His blossoming partnership with Calvin Bassey had been tipped as one of the keys to Nigeria’s AFCON plans, making this setback even more damaging.
Standout Qualities Nigeria Will Miss
Fredrick is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest young ball-playing defenders.
His ability to launch attacks from the back, progress the ball into midfield, and maintain composure in tight spaces has made him central to Eric Chelle’s rebuilding project.
A highlight of his rise came during the World Cup playoff semi-final against Gabon, where he:
- Troubled the Gabonese defense with overlapping runs
- Read Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s movements brilliantly
- Contributed to the build-up of Victor Osimhen’s decisive goal
These performances established him as a key figure in the Super Eagles’ evolving system.
Chelle Faces Defensive Headache Ahead of AFCON
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle must now find a replacement capable of offering Fredrick’s unique blend of composure, aerial strength, tactical discipline, and ball progression.
With AFCON just weeks away, Nigeria’s preparations have been thrown off balance, and the technical crew is expected to reassess its defensive options urgently.
The Super Eagles are set to release an updated provisional squad list in the coming days as Chelle explores alternatives.
