When Nigeria participated in the Unity Cup in May, Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle felt it was only fair to give Benjamin Fredrick a chance considering that the competition was being held at Community Stadium where the former Flying Eagles star has played some games for Brentford. The 20-year-old indeed grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has since made the Super Eagles centre back position his birthright, displacing the team’s captain, William Troost-Ekong in the process. However, his dream of making a name for himself at next month’s AFCON, after a knee injury knocked him out of the biennial tournament, is up in the air  

After warming himself into the hearts of soccer loving Nigerians with some scintillating performances for the Super Eagles, FCV Dender EH defender, Benjamin Frederick was already dreaming of making a name for himself and country at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations billed for Morocco, but that dream would never come to pass after being ruled out of the AFCON 2025 tournament.

The 20-year-old has been a revelation to the Green and Whites since getting his maiden invitation to the senior team back in May.

Given that the Unity Cup was hosted by Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, it only made sense for Eric Chelle to give a call-up to the young Brentford defender.

The Simoiben Academy graduate played 90 minutes as Nigeria secured a victory in the penalty shoot-out against Jamaica after a 2-2 draw in regular time.

Since his debut, Frederick has started all six of Nigeria’s competitive games, and the Super Eagles haven’t lost in regular time every time he’s featured.

The Brentford loanee played 120 minutes in Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Gabon, before replicating the same against DR Congo during the November International break.

However, he looked jaded towards the end of the game, and even had muscular cramps, but he continued the game as the Super Eagles’ World Cup dreams ended.

Eyebrows were raised when Frederick missed Dender’s 2-1 against Royal Antwerp last weekend.

It has now been discovered that he missed the game due to a knee injury. The 20-year-old will miss the entirety of the 2025 AFCON tournament to focus on his recovery.

Frederick’s injury is a big blow for Eric Chelle, who’s grown fond of the youngster. Ekong has seen his spot in the Super Eagles’ first 11 displaced since the Brentford man broke.     

The 20-year-old, one of the most consistent performers under head coach Eric Chelle, reportedly sustained the injury during training on Friday with Belgian Pro League side FCV Dender EH, where he is on loan from Premier League outfit, Brentford.

The news was confirmed by Oluwashina Okeleji, who revealed on Tuesday via his X handle that the injury will sideline the defender until after the tournament.

“Brentford FC’s Nigeria defender Benjamin Fredrick set to miss AFCON 2025 with knee injury picked up in training at Belgian club Dender on Friday,” Okeleji reported.

“Expected to return to action after the tournament. The rising star started his country’s last six games under Eric Chelle.”

Since making his senior debut in the Unity Cup against Jamaica on 31 May, a match Nigeria won 5–4 on penalties after a 2–2 draw, the defender has become one of Chelle’s most trusted players. He has started six consecutive matches for Nigeria, showing versatility and maturity while slotting in at both centre-back and right-back.

He also featured for the entire 120 minutes in Nigeria’s tense CAF World Cup playoff games against Gabon and DR Congo, underlining his growing importance to the national team setup.

His impressive run made him a near-certain inclusion in the AFCON preliminary list expected this week, until injury struck at the worst possible moment.

Beyond the national team, the injury complicates things for Dender, who sit bottom of the Belgian Pro League with eight points from 15 matches. Fredrick, who has made 14 league appearances this season, starting 10, has been one of the few bright spots in a difficult campaign.

He has now missed the club’s last three fixtures against Royal Antwerp, Westerlo, and Standard Liège. Ironically, Dender finally secured their first win of the season, a 2–1 victory over Antwerp, on a day he wasn’t listed among the injured players.

With Fredrick now ruled out until 2026, the club must find defensive alternatives as they continue their fight for survival.

For Nigeria, this is more than just a personnel loss, it’s the loss of a young defender who had seamlessly transitioned into international football and brought fresh steel into the Eagles’ backline. His composure, versatility, and physical presence were set to be valuable assets at AFCON 2025.

Fredrick’s composed style, aerial dominance and tactical awareness have convinced Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, who has boldly selected him ahead of experienced captain Troost-Ekong in recent months. The former Flying Eagles star also delivered standout performances in both the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Playoff matches, cementing his status as one of the most exciting young defenders in Africa.

Speaking after his commanding performance against Gabon and how quickly he has warmed himself into the hearts of Nigerian football fans: “I’m happy Nigerians appreciate what I’m doing, but for me, this is just the beginning. I’m learning every day. I thank the coaches and my teammates for believing in me. My job is simple—defend well, stay focused, and help the team qualify for the World Cup.”

The young defender, who kept superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang quiet for most of the match, said he prepared mentally for that challenge:

“Aubameyang is a top striker with so much experience. I knew I had to stay switched on for 120 minutes. It wasn’t easy, but defending big players is what makes you grow.

“We fight for each other. Even when Gabon equalised late, nobody panicked. We stayed calm and trusted our quality. That mentality is what took us through extra time, and we must keep that energy for DR Congo.”

When asked about the overwhelming love from fans at home and abroad, he smiled:

“Nigerians are passionate. Their support means everything to us. We feel it. I promise to keep giving 100% every time I wear this jersey. I’m just getting started.”

Nigeria must now prepare for the tournament without one of its most exciting emerging talents.

As a rising star has been halted, disrupting a national team plan, the young defender is now forced to watch Africa’s biggest stage from the sidelines.