The five-step journey from Simoiben Academy prodigy to Super Eagles standout

On a night when the Super Eagles rediscovered their ruthless edge, few players embodied Nigeria’s resurgence better than Benjamin Fredrick.

The 20-year-old defender, playing out of position, turned in a performance that was as composed as it was fearless in the emphatic 4–0 victory over Benin in Uyo, a result that sealed Nigeria’s place in the playoffs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

While Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s late strike stole the headlines, Fredrick’s assured defensive display added a quiet steel to Nigeria’s backline.

Against a Benin side managed by a familiar face in Gernot Rohr, the young defender neutralised wave after wave of attack, winning duels and showing a tactical maturity well beyond his years.

For a player who only a few years ago was honing his craft at Moses Simon’s Simoiben ‘modest’ academy in Kaduna, this was a full-circle moment.

Here are five key phases to know about Benjamin Fredrick’s remarkable rise.

Star shaped at Simoiben Academy

Fredrick’s football journey began at Simoiben Academy in Kaduna; a talent factory founded by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon and his wife, Ibukun.

It was here that Fredrick’s raw ability was spotted and refined, setting him on the path to professional football. Over the years, Simoiben has quietly built a reputation for nurturing disciplined, technically gifted youngsters. Fredrick is one of its brightest products, and considers Simon both a mentor and an inspiration.

Short but significant NPFL, NNL stints

Before his move abroad, Fredrick experienced the gritty side of Nigerian football. He turned out briefly for ABS FC in the Nigeria National League in 2022 and then for Nasarawa United FC in the Nigeria Premier Football League in 2023.

He made six appearances in the top flight; games that ended in four defeats and two draws, but those minutes gave him valuable exposure to the physical demands and intensity of professional football. It was a testing ground that toughened him for bigger stages.

Brentford’s rising prospect in Europe

Fredrick’s breakthrough moment came when Brentford F.C. snapped him up in 2023. Initially signed on a one-year deal, the young defender impressed almost immediately, winning the club’s Youth Player of the Year award in his debut season. That earned him an extended contract and a loan move to K.F.C. Dender E.H. in Belgium to gain more first-team experience.

The London club sees him as one of its brightest long-term defensive prospects, and his steady development has drawn attention back home.

Versatility as secret weapon

Though primarily a centre-back, Fredrick’s ability to adapt makes him an asset to any coach. He slotted in at right-back in both of Nigeria’s last two qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, handling the role with remarkable composure.

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His tactical intelligence and positional awareness allow him to operate across the defensive line, and he can even step into a holding midfield role if required. It’s this versatility that makes him an emerging cornerstone for Eric Chelle’s rebuilding Super Eagles.

Flying Eagles to Super Eagles: Rare leap

Fredrick was one of the standout performers for Nigeria national under-20 football team at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where the Flying Eagles reached the quarter-finals under former coach Ladan Bosso.

What sets him apart is that he’s the only player from that squad to have earned a senior national team cap so far, a rare leap that speaks volumes about his talent, temperament, and trajectory.

New defensive era in sight

Nigeria’s backline has been a source of concern in recent years, but Fredrick’s emergence offers a glimpse of the future, a young, composed defender unafraid of the big stage.

According to statistics, Benjamin Frederick has never been substituted since making his debut for Nigeria. He has featured in five matches so far for the Super Eagles.

Vs. Jamaica 90 min, Rwanda – 90 min, South Africa – 90 min, Lesotho – 90 min, and Benin – 90 min

From a Simoiben’s academy pitch in Kaduna to starring in a World Cup qualifier, his story reflects a pipeline of talent waiting to be tapped more deliberately. And as Nigeria head into a high-stakes playoff in November, Benjamin Fredrick is no longer just a promising prospect.

He’s part of the present.