Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has expressed deep emotional pain after an injury ruled defender Benjamin Fredrick out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 19-year-old Brighton defender, a standout in recent World Cup qualifiers, was sidelined just weeks before the tournament and is expected to be out until the new year.
The news is a personal blow to Simon. Fredrick is a product of the Simoiben Academy, which Simon owns.
The pair recently became the first academy owner and mentee to play together for Nigeria.
“It’s like a father and son playing alongside each other,” Simon told ESPN. “I am sad he will not be here… because he would help us if he was.”
Fredrick, the only member of the 2023 U-20 World Cup squad to earn a senior cap so far, was a vital versatile option for the defense.
In his absence, head coach Eric Chelle has called up Blackburn Rovers’ Ryan Alebiosu to bolster the squad. Nigeria continues its AFCON preparations following a 2-1 friendly defeat to Egypt on Tuesday.
