Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has urged Benjamin Fredrick to be decisive about his future and choose a club where he is guaranteed regular playing time, SportPremi reports.
Fredrick, 20, has become a regular member of Nigerian head coach Eric Chelle’s squad since making his debut earlier this year.
The defender also made his competitive debut in a 1-0 win over Rwanda in a World Cup qualifying match in September and played the final six matches of the qualifying campaign.
He also featured in both of the Super Eagles’ CAF playoff matches, a 4-1 win over Gabon in the semifinals and the penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the final which ended their hopes of playing in next year’s tournament.
However, he will miss the African Cup of Nations tournament later this month, following a knee injury suffered in training at Dender, where he plays club football.
The 20-year-old joined the Belgian side on loan last summer from English Premier League club Brentford in search of regular playing minutes.
He joined the Bees in 2023, but struggled to break into the starting lineup and with very limited playing time at the club.
Sodje sends warning to Fredrick
Former Nigerian defender Sam Sodje acknowledged Benjamin Fredrick’s quality and advised the youngster to prioritize playing regularly at any club he joins.
“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”, the ex-international revealed.
“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.”
On his absence from the 2025 AFCON
“He has all the attributes to be a top defender, so I’m disappointed to see him ruled out of AFCON.
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”, he continued.
How will Nigeria cope without Fredrick at AFCON?
Benjamin Fredrick has staked a spot in Eric Chelle’s starting lineup and will be a major miss at the African Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Super Eagles were dealt another major blow on Thursday, as captain William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from international football and will not play in the tournament.
It deprives them of two of their top centre-backs, though they still have quality replacements.
The likes of Calvin Bassey, Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel are expected to step up in the absence of the two regulars.
The three-time Champions begin their campaign on the 23rd of this month against Tanzania and also face Tunisia and Uganda in other group matches.
