A knee injury picked up while training with FCV Dender EH has ruled Benjamin Fredrick out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, ending his hopes of a first Super Eagles tournament appearance.

The development was revealed on Tuesday by Nigerian journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, who confirmed that the 20-year-old will not recover in time for the continental tournament.

Fredrick, who is owned by Premier League side Brentford FC, picked up the injury shortly after returning to Belgium from international duty.

Reports indicate that the centre-back suffered the setback during a routine session with Dender, where he has been on loan since the start of the 2025–26 campaign.

The timing of the injury is a major setback for Nigeria, especially as the rising star had become a trusted figure under head coach Eric Chelle.

Fredrick started his country’s last six matches, firmly establishing himself as one of the most dependable young defenders in the squad and positioning himself for a likely place on the AFCON 2025 roster.

Fredrick’s emergence over the past year has elevated his status as one of Nigeria’s brightest young defensive talents.

His assured performances, aerial dominance, and calmness on the ball have drawn widespread praise, including from senior national teammates who view him as a long-term solution in the heart of defence.

Medical assessments suggest that Fredrick will only resume action after AFCON concludes, leaving a notable gap in the Super Eagles’ backline. 

Wale Adejumo