Super Eagles: AFCON 2025 catastrophe as Benjamin Fredrick suffers major injury

The Super Eagles have been dealt a significant Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) blow with rising defender Benjamin Fredrick ruled out after sustaining a knee injury during training with Belgian club Dender.

The setback kept him out of the squad for their weekend league victory over Antwerp and early indications from Belgium suggest he will not return before the tournament in Morocco.

It marks an unfortunate interruption for one of Nigeria’s most promising performers this year. Since earning his first senior cap in May, the Brentford-owned defender has forced his way into Eric Chelle’s core group, starting the last six international matches and completing all 570 minutes of action. His calm authority in the win over Gabon where he matched Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang without flinching showed a maturity well beyond his age.

Fredrick has mirrored that form for Dender, featuring in 14 league fixtures and becoming a constant presence in their back line. His expected return to club duty this weekend had been anticipated before Friday’s injury halted his momentum and raised fresh concerns with the continental competition barely weeks away.

Super Eagles lose emerging defensive pillar

Eric Chelle has been monitoring fitness updates from Europe as preparations accelerate, and Benjamin Fredrick’s setback will disrupt the balance of a Super Eagles defence that has gradually shifted toward younger, more athletic profiles, raising fan expectation ahead of the AFCON in December.

The 20-year-old played with remarkable consistency during November’s international window, starring in the 4-1 win over Gabon before enduring the full 120 minutes against DR Congo in the playoff final.

#BrentfordFC's #Nigeria defender Benjamin Fredrick set to miss #AFCON2025 with knee injury picked up in training at Belgian club Dender on Friday.

Expected to return to action after the tournament.

The rising star 💫 started his country's last six games under Eric Chelle.

🤕❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/aIh8fGVlu1

— Olúwashínà Okeleji (@oluwashina) November 25, 2025

His absence now forces a rethink at a time when Nigeria’s defensive structure was beginning to stabilise. Fredrick had been pencilled in as a likely starter in Morocco, offering height, recovery pace, and composure in a unit still evolving under Chelle.

With AFCON 2025 around the corner, Nigeria must now explore alternative options to fill a gap that had seemed securely handled. Fredrick’s long-term prospects remain bright, but his breakout continental moment will have to wait.