Big blow for Eric Chelle as knee injury rules Benjamin Frederick out of AFCON 2025

Super Eagles and FCV Dender EH defender 1/category/news” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Benjamin Frederick has been ruled out of the AFCON 2025 tournament that'll hold in Morocco next month, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 20-year-old has been a revelation to the Green and Whites since getting his maiden invitation to the senior team back in May.

Given that the Unity Cup was hosted by Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, it only made sense for Eric Chelle to give a call-up to the young Brentford defender.

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

The Simoiben Academy graduate played 90 minutes as Nigeria secured a victory in the penalty shoot-out against Jamaica after a 2-2 draw in regular time.

Since his debut, Frederick has started all six of Nigeria's competitive games, and the Super Eagles haven't lost in regular time every time he's featured.

Benjamin Frederick ruled out of AFCON 2025

The Brentford loanee played 120 minutes in Nigeria's 4-1 win over Gabon, before replicating the same against DR Congo during the November International break.

However, he looked jaded towards the end of the game, and even had muscular cramps, but he continued the game as the Super Eagles' World Cup dreams ended.

Eyebrows were raised when Frederick missed Dender's 2-1 against Royal Antwerp last weekend.

It has now been discovered that he missed the game due to a knee injury. As per Oluwashina Okeleji, the 20-year-old will miss the entirety of the 2025 AFCON tournament to focus on his recovery.

#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

Frederick's injury is a big blow for Eric Chelle, who's grown fond of the youngster. Ekong has seen his spot in the Super Eagles' first eleven displaced since the Brentford man broke out.

The Brentford loanee now joins Ola Aina on the list of Super Eagles players who might not make it to the AFCON 2025 tournament.

While Frederick has been ruled out, Aina is still a doubt, although he's returned to individual training.