Nigeria’s preparations for AFCON 2025 have been rocked by the withdrawal of fast-rising defender Benjamin Fredrick, who has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a knee injury during Friday’s training session with Belgian side Dender FC.
Fredrick, 20, has been widely tipped as one of the most promising young defenders in Nigerian football, admired for his composure, intelligent positioning and remarkable maturity on the pitch. Many analysts had projected that the upcoming AFCON would be his breakout moment on the continental stage.
Medical assessments have now confirmed he will be sidelined for at least 12 weeks, a development that automatically rules him out of the championship. The timing of the injury is a heavy setback for the Super Eagles, who were banking on his energy, versatility and defensive depth.
The blow is equally devastating for the player, whose rapid rise had captured the attention of fans and scouts alike. Missing out on a major international tournament at this stage of his development is seen as a painful interruption to his momentum.
