Nigeria’s Super Eagles face a significant setback. Young defender Benjamin Frederick is out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He suffered a knee injury. This news comes just weeks before the tournament in Morocco.

Frederick, aged 20, has emerged as a key player for the Super Eagles. He recently missed FCV Dender’s 2-1 victory over Royal Antwerp. Initial reports about his absence were unclear. Confirmation has now arrived. The Brentford loanee will miss the entire AFCON campaign. He needs to focus on his recovery. This information comes from journalist Oluwashina Okeleji.

Frederick’s Rapid Ascent

Frederick’s career has seen a remarkable ascent. He earned his first senior national team call-up in May. Coach Eric Chelle gave him his international debut. This happened during the Unity Cup at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium. The young defender quickly proved his capabilities.

He played the full 90 minutes against Jamaica. Nigeria won that match on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Since then, Frederick became a regular starter. He has started all six of Nigeria’s competitive games since his debut. The team remained unbeaten in regular time when he played.

Frederick showcased immense dedication. He completed 120 minutes in a 4-1 win over Gabon in November. He battled fatigue and muscle cramps. Days later, he repeated this effort against DR Congo. This was even as Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes faded.

Impact on Super Eagles Defence

Coach Chelle has often praised Frederick’s maturity. He also admires the defender’s composure. Now, Chelle must reconfigure his defensive line. The defence had come to rely on Frederick’s calm presence. William Troost-Ekong’s starting spot was already under threat. Frederick’s rise had pushed him out of the first XI.

Broader Injury Concerns

This injury adds to Nigeria’s worries. Ola Aina’s availability for the tournament remains uncertain. Aina has started individual training. However, he is not yet declared fit for competitive matches.