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Moses Simon has expressed sadness over the absence of Benjamin Fredrick from Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, after injury ruled the young defender out just weeks before the tournament, Footynaija.com reports.
Fredrick had emerged as one of the Super Eagles’ most reliable new faces in recent months.
Following his international breakthrough at the Unity Cup in May, he featured in all of Nigeria’s last four World Cup qualifiers and impressed during November’s playoff games against Gabon and DR Congo.
He brings huge calmness to the field under immense pressure.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) October 15, 2025
Call his name – Benjamin Fredrick pic.twitter.com/sBzewGPabl
The Super Eagles are yet lose a game in regulation with Fredrick on the pitch.
The youngster’s omission is particularly painful for Simon, who runs the Simoiben Academy where Fredrick was discovered and developed. Had Fredrick been fit, the pair would have become the first academy owner and mentee to play together for Nigeria at a major tournament.
Speaking to ESPN, Simon said: “It is very emotional for me.
“It is an unbelievable big dream to play with the young one you helped to the top. The feeling is something else. It is like a father and son playing alongside each other. “It is a thing of joy for me. I’m proud of myself, I’m proud of what I’m doing and I’m proud of the people around that encourage me and assist me also. But I am sad that he will not be here. Not because I just want us to play together, but because he will help us if he was here.”
Frank Onyeka says Benjamin Frederick will be greatly missed at the African Cup of Nations.
— Official54fx (@54footballx) December 17, 2025
A BIG BLOW!#54footballx pic.twitter.com/QFh0Icdkl6
Fredrick’s journey began at Simoiben Academy in Kaduna before spells at ABS FC and Nasarawa United. In 2023, Brentford signed him, where he won Youth Player of the Year and later moved on loan to Belgium’s K.F.C. Dender E.H.
ACHIEVEMENTS: Benjamin Frederick won the B-team “Under-21s Players’ Player of the Year” award at Brentford after his 2024/25 campaign. pic.twitter.com/fbLNzUSgKU
— Benjamin Fredrick (@Frederickben21) December 11, 2025
A natural centre-back, Fredrick has also impressed at right-back and remains the only player from Nigeria’s 2023 U-20 World Cup squad to earn a senior cap. He has featured seven times for the Super Eagles and has never been substituted.
