I’m sad he will not be here” – Moses Simon heartbroken over Nigeria star’s AFCON 2025 absence

Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has spoken of his deep disappointment after Benjamin Fredrick was ruled out of Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, describing the youngster’s absence as both a personal and sporting blow, according to Soccernet.

Fredrick, one of the brightest defensive talents to emerge for Nigeria in the past year, was widely expected to make the AFCON squad following a series of composed performances at international level. However, an untimely injury suffered just weeks before the tournament has sidelined the defender until the new year, abruptly halting what was shaping up to be a landmark moment in his career.

The setback has been felt most keenly by Simon, whose connection to Fredrick goes far beyond the national team. The defender is a product of the Simoiben Academy, founded and run by Simon and his wife, Ibukun. Earlier this year, the pair became the first academy owner and graduate to play together for the Super Eagles — a rare and symbolic achievement in Nigerian football.

Had Fredrick been fit, the two would also have made history as the first Nigerians to share that unique relationship at a major international tournament.

Speaking to ESPN, Simon laid bare the emotion behind the disappointment. “It is very emotional for me,” Simon said. “It is a thing of joy for me. I’m proud of myself, I’m proud of what I’m doing and the people around me who encourage and assist me. But I am sad that he will not be here — not just because I want us to play together, but because he would help us if he was here.”

Fredrick’s rise has been rapid. After breaking into the senior national team at the Unity Cup earlier this year, he went on to feature in Nigeria’s last four World Cup qualifiers, earning praise for his calmness, positional awareness and versatility. He impressed during crucial playoff fixtures against Gabon and DR Congo, performances that made his AFCON inclusion seem almost certain before injury intervened.

The 22-year-old’s journey to the top has been anything but straightforward. From Simoiben Academy in Kaduna, he passed through Nigeria’s domestic leagues with ABS FC and Nasarawa United before earning a move to Europe in 2023 with Brentford. His impact was immediate, winning the club’s Youth Player of the Year award, securing a contract extension and later moving on loan to Belgian side K.F.C. Dender E.H.

Naturally a centre-back, Fredrick also proved his adaptability by filling in at right-back during qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin. He was equally impressive at youth level, helping Nigeria reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and becoming the only player from that Flying Eagles squad to earn a senior cap so far.

In his absence, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has handed a first senior call-up to Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, who will compete with Bright Osayi-Samuel for the right-back role as Nigeria begin their AFCON 2025 campaign.

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