Benjamin Fredrick may be playing for little Dender, who are rock bottom of the Belgian top league, but he has been flying on another level with the Super Eagles since his debut in May against the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica in London.
On Thursday night, the 20-year-old defender again shone brightly as Nigeria soared high above Gabon 4-1 to reach the CAF 2026 World Cup Playoffs final against DR Congo.
Benjamin Fredrick vs Gabon pic.twitter.com/pw69f50f5l
— OB (@ofbmar) November 14, 2025
He underlined his growing confidence by surging forward to provide the assist for Chidera Ejuke to restore the Super Eagles lead in extra time.
The Enugu State native again formed a great central defensive partnership with Calvin Bassey to keep at bay Gabon strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga.
It was another five-star display that has got everyone chiming about the latest star of the Super Eagles.
Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh was clear in his assessment of the Brentford loanee.
“I personally found Benjamin Frédéric to be the most influential player versus Gabon for Super Eagles,” Oliseh posted on X.
“Always well positioned, pacy, decisive and played simple.”
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey, who has formed a superb partnership in the heart of the back four with Benjamin, has urged Premier League club Brentford to recall the youngster from his loan spell in Belgium because he is good enough for the English top league.
“For me, I think Brentford should get him back in the first team because he’s so good. He’s Unbelievable,” Fulham star Bassey remarked.
Channels TV sports journalist Tayo Salaam saluted the courage of coach Eric Chelle to axe captain William Ekong for the youngster.
“Gotto give Eric Chelle credit for his bold personnel and tactical choices because benching an influential Captain like Troost-Ekong for a youngster like Benjamin Fredrick takes big cojones,” he praised.
“His confidence is something else,” raved Super Eagles fan Godwin Emmanuel.
“He is certainly in the team to stay.”
