Soccer
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has heaped praise on Brentford youngster Benjamin Frederick after the defender delivered a composed performance on his debut in Nigeria’s Unity Cup final win over Jamaica, Soccernet.ng reports.
Frederick, who joined the team just a day before the showdown in London, was handed a surprise start at the heart of the defence.
Despite the short notice, the 20-year-old centre-back showed no signs of nerves, putting in a calm and assured display that caught the attention of many.
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Speaking to reporters, as observed by Soccernet.ng, after the match, Chelle commended the teenager’s maturity on the ball and his strong technical abilities.
“Benjamin Frederick was good. He was very calm and composed. Technically, he’s close to perfect — especially when it comes to touching the ball and making strong passes,” Chelle said.
Frederick, who joined Premier League side Brentford in 2023, was a standout performer alongside his more experienced teammates.
However, Chelle noted there was still room for growth, especially after Nigeria conceded twice in the 2-2 draw before winning 5-4 on penalties.
“He reads the game well, but of course, there’s room for improvement. We conceded a goal, and maybe he could have done something differently in that situation.”
“Like I always say about our players — even when they play well — we still need to improve every day.”
Chelle jokingly revealed that his assistant had credited him for Frederick’s solid performance, but the coach insisted the youngster must continue to build on this impressive start.
“My assistant even joked that I should take credit for his performance because I selected him. But really, it’s just one game — a big one — and he needs to keep working hard and improving.”
Frederick’s solid debut adds to Nigeria’s list of defenders ready to get a call up as the team prepares for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ayomide Oguntimehin
Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories.
Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work.
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