Injury-Hit Super Eagles Defender Nearing Match Fitness

Injury-Hit Super Eagles Defender Nearing Match Fitness 

By BSN Sports 

Benjamin Fredrick is closing in on a return to action after several months on the sidelines with a knee injury, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 20-year-old defender, who is contracted to Brentford, sustained the injury in late November while training with Belgian Pro League side F.C.V. Dender E.H., where he is currently on a season-long loan.

According to Nigerian journalist Shina Okeleji, the centre-back is nearing full fitness and is expected to remain at Dender for the remainder of the campaign as part of his development programme.

Dender confirmed the injury at the time, after which Fredrick returned to England to undergo rehabilitation under Brentford’s medical team — a process that kept him out of action for several weeks.

The setback came at a challenging moment in his career. Fredrick had started each of the Nigeria national football team’s previous six matches under head coach Eric Chelle and had become an important figure in the national team’s defensive setup. The injury ultimately ruled him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria secured a third-place finish.

Renowned for his composure in possession, versatility across the defensive line and recovery pace, Fredrick had been widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most promising young defenders prior to the injury.

His loan spell in Belgium was intended to provide consistent first-team opportunities following an impressive rise through Brentford’s youth system, which earned him a permanent contract with the Premier League side.