Former Brentford and Nigerian defender Sam Sodje, in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa, has said that the Super Eagles will miss Benjamin Fredrick at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Benjamin was left out of Nigeria’s provisional squad unveiled on Tuesday after sustaining a knee injury while training with his Belgian club, Dender.
He started the last six games for the Super Eagles under coach Eric Chelle, and was preferred to captain William Troost-Ekong.
Sodje said the absence of the 20-year-old from AFCON is a big blow to the Super Eagles’ chances of lifting the trophy.
“He has all the attributes to be a top defender, so I’m disappointed to see him ruled out of AFCON,” he exclusively told Footy-Africa. “It is a big blow to him and the entire team, because he was meant to attend his first senior tournament and continue his development. But everything happens for a reason.”
Fredrick, who is owned by Premier League side Brentford FC, is on loan at Belgian club Dender but has since returned to England to continue his rehabilitation.
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Meanwhile, his future at Brentford remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether he will be included in the first team next season.
Sodje, however, believes Fredrick should consider moving elsewhere if he will not be given the opportunity to play first-team football at Brentford.
“Wherever he can go and get games, I think he should go. It doesn’t have to be Brentford, because he’s a talented player. If the opportunity is not there to play first-team football at Brentford or in the Premier League, he can go elsewhere. But hopefully he can play for Brentford in the Premier League, because it is the best league in the world. He’s a good player, and I know him very well,” he added.
Fredrick, who won Brentford’s Best Young Player Award in 2024, made 14 appearances for Dender before suffering the injury.
