Brentford U-21 center-back Benjamin Fredrick was spotted at the Super Eagles’ training camp on Wednesday, fueling speculation that the highly-rated youngster could be in line for a senior national team debut.
The 19-year-old, who joined Premier League side Brentford from Simoiben Academy in Kaduna, was seen observing training sessions at the team’s base as Nigeria intensifies preparations for their upcoming Unity Cup Final against Jamaica on Saturday, May 31.
According to reports, Fredrick was called up to the team as a replacement for Getafe star Christantus Uche who could not report to training due to personal issues.
Fredrick, who previously played for Nigeria’s U20 team, has impressed in his debut season in England, putting in consistent performances for Brentford’s development side, earning him the club’s U-21 player of the season award.
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Fredrick was also a key part of the Nigeria U-20 squad that secured a third-place finish at the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, playing every minute of the tournament as the team advanced to the semi-finals. In May 2023, he was included in Nigeria’s squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
While it remains to be seen whether he will be included in the matchday squad for the final, Fredrick’s attendance at training aligns with head coach Eric Chelle’s stated desire to gradually introduce new talents into the Super Eagles setup.
Nigeria’s clash against Jamaica will take place on May 31 at the GTech Community Stadium, with the Super Eagles aiming to clinch the Unity Cup title after edging past Ghana 2-1 to secure a spot in the final.
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