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‎Just few days after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the Super Eagles of Nigeria has been dealt another blow as Benjamin Fredericks is set to miss the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations due to injury.
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‎Nigeria on Sunday 16th, November suffered a 3-4 penalty loss in the hands of the Democratic Republic of Congo after extra time ended 1-1, a result that ensures Nigeria missed the World Cup for a second straight time.
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‎One player instrumental to Nigeria's run to the Africa playoff final and was hopeful to make an impact at the AFCON was Benjamin Fredericks. But the versatile defender missed club side Dender’s Belgian Pro League victory over Royal Antwerp on Sunday due to a knee injury with sources disclosing he won't recover in time for AFCON 2025, which begins on December 21.
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‎It is glaring that Benjamin Tanimu who plies his trade for Moroccan side Maghreb of Fez whose work rate at the heart of the defense will be required by Coach Eric Chelle.
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‎23-year-old Tanimu began his professional career with Bendel Insurance before signing for Singida Black Stars of Tanzania and currently in Morocco.
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‎The Benin City-born defender represented Nigeria at the under-23 level and was handed his first call up to the Super Eagles in March 2024 for friendlies against Ghana and Mali. He made his debut for Nigeria on 22 March, starting in a 2–1 win over Ghana.
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