Super Eagles’ Benjamin Fredrick Ruled Out of AFCON 2025 With Knee Injury

Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick is expected to miss the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a knee injury on Friday.

The 20-year-old, who played the full 120 minutes in both of Nigeria’s CAF World Cup play-off matches against Gabon and DR Congo, reportedly sustained the injury while training with Belgian club FCV Dender EH, where he is on loan from Brentford.

According to sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, Fredrick is set to return to action only after the tournament. “Brentford FC’s Nigerian defender Benjamin Fredrick set to miss AFCON 2025 with knee injury picked up in training at Belgian club Dender on Friday,” Okeleji posted on X. “He has started the last six games under coach Eric Chelle.”

Since making his international debut in a 2–2 friendly against Jamaica on May 31, 2025—which Nigeria won 5–4 on penalties to lift the Unity Cup—Fredrick has quickly become a key player for the Super Eagles, featuring both as a centre-back and right-back. His injury is a major setback ahead of the tournament, with his inclusion in the preliminary squad expected.

Fredrick has also missed Dender’s last three Belgian Pro League matches against Royal Antwerp, Westerlo, and Standard Liege. The defender had made 14 league appearances this season, starting 10 games, and his absence leaves the club, currently bottom of the league with eight points from 15 games, scrambling for defensive options. His injury coincides with Dender recording their first win of the season, a 2–1 victory at Royal Antwerp, although he did not feature in that match.