Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick has returned to England after FCV Dender confirmed he has suffered a knee injury that will rule him out for several weeks, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Belgian club announced the setback on their official channels, revealing that the 20-year-old has already begun rehabilitation with his parent club Brentford.
The timing is particularly painful for both player and country.
Fredrick, who has enjoyed a rapid rise over the last year, had become a trusted figure in Nigeria’s back line under head coach Eric Chelle. His absence now removes one of the team’s key young defenders ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Dender confirmed the injury while providing an update on seven of their sidelined players, noting:
“Benjamin has suffered a knee injury. He is now beginning his rehabilitation in England at Brentford.”
Alongside the Super Eagles star, the fitness status of Naïl Sebtaoui, Kobe Cools, Michael Verrips, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Moïse Sahi Dion and Luc De Fougerolles was also detailed.
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Benjamin Fredrick’s absence forces Nigeria into defensive shake-up ahead of AFCON
Benjamin Fredrick’s emergence over the past few months made him one of the most exciting prospects in the national team.
Since making his debut at the Unity Cup, he has started six straight matches for the Super Eagles, delivering assured performances at both centre-back and right-back.
His standout displays came during the CAF World Cup playoffs in Morocco, where he earned man-of-the-match honours in the semifinal win over Gabon before another commanding outing in the final against DR Congo. Those performances cemented his place alongside Calvin Bassey as Nigeria’s preferred defensive pairing.
But with his injury expected to keep him sidelined well into 2026, Chelle must now reconstruct his defensive options. Semi Ajayi becomes the likely starter alongside Bassey, while William Troost-Ekong, previously displaced by Fredrick, provides additional depth.
Chelle may also explore fresh call-ups, including Nantes defender Chidozie Awaziem or Rangers centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez, who recently committed to representing Nigeria over England.
Fredrick’s injury robs the national team of not just a reliable defender but also a player whose confidence and composure had grown sharply over recent months.
For the youngster, the focus now shifts to a full recovery, with the goal of returning stronger for Brentford and reclaiming his place for Nigeria’s 2026 campaigns.
Nigeria reached the final of the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, and Chelle has been tasked with repeating, and ideally surpassing, that achievement. Losing one of his most trusted young defenders so close to the tournament represents a significant tactical blow.