Knee injury rules Fredrick out of AFCON 2025

Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick is set to miss the 2025 African Cup of Nations after sustaining a knee injury on Friday, The PUNCH reports.

The 20-year-old, who played all 120 minutes in both of Nigeria’s CAF World Cup play-off matches against Gabon and DR Congo, reportedly picked up the injury while training with Belgian side FCV Dender EH, where he is currently on loan from Brentford.

Sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji reported the news on Tuesday on X handle.

“Brentford FC’s Nigeria defender Benjamin Fredrick set to miss AFCON 2025 with knee injury picked up in training at Belgian club Dender on Friday,” Okeleji reported.

“Expected to return to action after the tournament. The rising star started his country’s last six games under Eric Chelle.”

Fredrick has quickly become an integral part of the Super Eagles since making his international debut in a 2–2 friendly against Jamaica in May 31 2025, which Nigeria won 5–4 on penalties to lift the Unity Cup.

Since then, he has started six consecutive matches under coach Eric Chelle, featuring both at centre-back and right-back.

The injury is a significant setback for Nigeria ahead of the tournament, with Fredrick expected to be part of the preliminary squad list to be announced in the coming days.

He also missed Dender’s last three Belgian Pro League fixtures against Royal Antwerp, Westerlo, and Standard Liege.

The absence of Fredrick is also a blow for the club, who sit bottom of the league with eight points from 15 games.

The defender had made 14 league appearances, starting 10 matches this season, and his unavailability until next year will force the club to find an alternative in defence as they fight to avoid relegation.

Fredrick’s injury also came just as Dender recorded their first win of the season, a 2–1 victory at Royal Antwerp, though he did not feature and was not listed among the injured players for that match