Brentford unlikely to release teenage defender Benjamin Fredrick for All Africa Games

ENGLISH Premier League side Brentford are unlikely to release Benjamin Fredrick to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the 2023 African Games taking place in Ghana next month as the club wants him as the season reaches its business end.

Frederick, 18, a versatile defender who can play as either as a centre-back or rightback, graduated from the Simoiben Football Academy set up by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon. In August 2023, he signed for Brentford on loan with the option to make the deal permanent and although he is yet to feature in the Premier League, the club need him in reserve just in case his services are needed.

Brentford currently sit 14th in the 20-team table, so will need to mister every ounce of energy to avoid a relegation dogfight with just 13 games remaining. This may involve using every member of their squad, including the likes of Frederick, who was included in a match day squad for the first time in January, when he was named as a substitute for an FA Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Nigeria's NFF has included Frederick in a 30-player provisional roster for the All Africa Games tournament taking place in Ghana between March 8 and 22. A youth tournament for U23 players, the All Africa Games will feature most members of the Flying Eagles who graduated from Ladan Bosso's U20 team.

Under Fifa rules, Brentford are not obliged to release Fredrick to the NFF as the competition falls outside the recognised international match calendar. Highly rated, Frederick has seen his stock rise in recent weeks, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank handing him four first team call-ups but he has remained a non-playing substitute in those games including two in the Premier League.

Nigeria will lock horns with Uganda, South Sudan, Senegal and Tunisia in the group stage of the 2023 African Games. Back in 1973, the All Africa Games used to be a senior tournament and the gold medal was the first international laurel Nigeria ever won, with the team then known as the Green Eagles winning the tournament in Lagos.