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Nigerian defender Benjamin Fredrick is officially set to miss the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. The emerging star encountered a knee injury during a recent training session with his Belgian club, FC Dender, forcing him out of the Super Eagles' continental campaign.
The unfortunate news was amplified by Super Eagles journalist Kelechi, who reported on his Instagram that the injury occurred shortly after the national team's last international fixture. Fredrick, 20, had established himself as a vital component of the defense, starting in the country’s last six matches under Coach Eric Chelle.
The Brentford loanee has accumulated six total appearances for the Super Eagles since his 2025 debut, which included a memorable outing where he provided an assist for a Victor Osimhen goal during the World Cup qualifier playoff against Gabon. Fredrick is expected to return to action only after the AFCON tournament concludes, with a specific date yet to be determined by his club.