FCV Dender have confirmed that Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick has suffered a knee injury and has begun rehabilitation with his parent club, Brentford, effectively ruling him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Belgian club announced the update on their official website while providing a comprehensive report on the recovery status of seven injured players.
“Benjamin has suffered a knee injury. He is now beginning his rehabilitation in England at Brentford,” the statement read.
Alongside Benjamin Fredrick, the club also offered progress reports on Naïl Sebtaoui, Kobe Cools, Michael Verrips, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Moïse Sahi Dion and Luc De Fougerolles, as efforts continue to get the sidelined players back to full fitness.
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The news comes as a huge blow for both club and country, especially for the 20-year-old defender who had grown into a key figure for the Super Eagles. Since making his debut at the Unity Cup, Benjamin Fredrick has started six straight matches for Nigeria, impressing both at centre-back and right-back.
He was particularly outstanding during the CAF World Cup playoffs in Morocco, producing a man-of-the-match performance in the semifinal against Gabon and following it up with a solid outing in the final against DR Congo.
With the injury ruling him out of the upcoming AFCON, Benjamin Fredrick will now focus on his long-term recovery in England. While neither Dender nor Brentford have provided a timeline for his return, early indications suggest he is unlikely to feature again until after the AFCON in 2026.
The young defender will continue his rehabilitation behind the scenes as he targets a strong comeback to competitive action.
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