Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick was unexpectedly left out of Dender FC’s matchday squad for their Jupiler Pro League clash against Antwerp on Sunday, raising questions about his availability following a demanding international window.
Fredrick has been one of Dender’s most trusted players this season, making 14 league appearances and becoming a regular fixture in their backline. His omission therefore came as a surprise, especially as he was neither listed in the starting XI nor named among the substitutes.
Possible Reason for His Absence
As of now, no official explanation has been released by the club. However, the timing suggests his exclusion may be linked to fatigue rather than injury.
During Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifying playoffs, the 19-year-old logged every minute of the two intense fixtures — the 4–1 win over Gabon and the 120-minute showdown against DR Congo. He appeared noticeably tired towards the end of the latter match.
Importantly, Dender did not include him in their injury list ahead of the Antwerp game, strengthening the likelihood that the coaching staff opted to give the youngster a rest following his heavy workload.
Implications for AFCON 2025
With the Africa Cup of Nations just weeks away, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will be monitoring the condition of all potential squad members. Fredrick is expected to be a key defensive option for Nigeria at the tournament.
For now, there seems to be no major concern, as the defender is anticipated to return in time for Dender’s next league fixture against Westerlo on Saturday. Unless further absences occur, Chelle should have no immediate reason to worry about the player’s fitness.
