Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 preparations have suffered a significant setback, as breakout Tremendous Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick has been dominated out of the match with a knee harm, derailing what ought to have been his first look at Africa’s largest soccer showpiece.
The 20-year-old, one of the crucial constant performers below head coach Eric Chelle, reportedly sustained the harm throughout coaching on Friday with Belgian Professional League aspect FCV Dender EH, the place he’s on mortgage from Premier League outfit Brentford.
The information was confirmed by revered journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, who revealed on Tuesday through his X deal with that the harm will sideline the defender till after the match.
“Brentford FC’s Nigeria defender Benjamin Fredrick set to overlook AFCON 2025 with knee harm picked up in coaching at Belgian membership Dender on Friday,” Okeleji reported.
“Anticipated to return to motion after the match. The rising star began his nation’s final six video games below Eric Chelle.”
#BrentfordFC‘s #Nigeria defender Benjamin Fredrick set to overlook #AFCON2025 with knee harm picked up in coaching at Belgian membership Dender on Friday.
Anticipated to return to motion after the match.
The rising star 💫 began his nation’s final six video games below Eric Chelle.
🤕❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/aIh8fGVlu1
— Olúwashínà Okeleji (@oluwashina) November 25, 2025
A fast rise interrupted
Fredrick’s absence hits more durable due to the trajectory he has inbuilt such a short while.
Since making his senior debut within the Unity Cup in opposition to Jamaica on 31 Might, a match Nigeria gained 5–4 on penalties after a 2–2 draw, the defender has grow to be one among Chelle’s most trusted gamers. He has began six consecutive matches for Nigeria, displaying versatility and maturity whereas slotting in at each centre-back and right-back.
He additionally featured for the whole 120 minutes in Nigeria’s tense CAF World Cup playoff video games in opposition to Gabon and DR Congo, underlining his rising significance to the nationwide workforce setup.
His spectacular run made him a near-certain inclusion within the AFCON preliminary record anticipated this week, till harm struck on the worst doable second.
Affect on Membership and Nation
Past the nationwide workforce, the harm complicates issues for Dender, who sit backside of the Belgian Professional League with eight factors from 15 matches. Fredrick, who has made 14 league appearances this season, beginning 10, has been one of many few vibrant spots in a troublesome marketing campaign.
He has now missed the membership’s final three fixtures in opposition to Royal Antwerp, Westerlo, and Normal Liège. Sarcastically, Dender lastly secured their first win of the season, a 2–1 victory over Antwerp, on a day he wasn’t listed among the many injured gamers.
With Fredrick now dominated out till 2026, the membership should discover defensive alternate options as they proceed their combat for survival.
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What this implies for the Tremendous Eagles
For Nigeria, that is greater than only a personnel loss, it’s the lack of a younger defender who had seamlessly transitioned into worldwide soccer and introduced recent metal into the Eagles’ backline. His composure, versatility, and bodily presence have been set to be helpful belongings at AFCON 2025.
As an alternative, Nigeria should now put together for the match with out one among its most enjoyable rising skills.
As a rising star has been halted, disrupting a nationwide workforce plan, the younger defender is now compelled to observe Africa’s largest stage from the sidelines.
AFCON 2025 will go on, however with out Benjamin Fredrick, the Tremendous Eagles will really feel this blow.
