Nigerian football has been dealt a significant blow as rising star Benjamin Fredrick has been officially ruled out of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to a serious knee injury.
Injury Crisis Hits Super Eagles Defense
The 20-year-old defender, who has become a key component of Eric Chelle's national team setup, suffered the devastating injury while playing for Belgian club FCV Dender. The club confirmed the news through their official social media channels, stating that Fredrick will be sidelined for several weeks and has immediately returned to his parent club, Brentford, to begin treatment.
This development comes at the worst possible time for the Super Eagles, with the continental tournament scheduled to begin on December 21 in Morocco. Fredrick's absence creates a major gap in Nigeria's defensive lineup, particularly given his impressive performances in recent international matches.
Rising Star's Meteoric Impact
Since making his national team debut at the Unity Cup during the summer, Benjamin Fredrick had started six consecutive matches for Nigeria, establishing himself as a reliable force in the backline. His standout performance came during the World Cup playoffs in Morocco, where he earned the man-of-the-match award in Nigeria's semi-final victory over Gabon.
Even in the final against DR Congo, which Nigeria ultimately lost, Fredrick delivered a commanding display that further cemented his growing reputation. His rapid development over recent months had made him one of the most promising young defenders in African football.
Chelle's Defensive Reshuffle Required
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle now faces the urgent task of reorganizing his defensive options ahead of the tournament. According to reports, captain William Troost-Ekong is set to return to the starting lineup to partner with Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey in central defense.
The coaching staff may also consider fresh call-ups to bolster the squad depth. Potential candidates include Nantes defender Chidozie Awaziem and Rangers centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez, who recently committed to representing Nigeria over England.
Compounding the selection challenges, reports indicate that Coach Chelle has yet to submit his preliminary 55-man squad list to the Nigeria Football Federation. With CAF requiring final 23-man squads by December 11, time is rapidly running out for the technical crew to finalize their plans.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia for the tournament. The three-time African champions will need to quickly adapt to Fredrick's absence if they hope to mount a serious challenge for the continental title.
