Sunday Oliseh praises Benjamin Fredrick, hailing the defender’s “influential” performance in Nigeria’s recent World Cup playoff semi-final. The Super Eagles secured a crucial 4-1 victory over Gabon after extra time.
Nigeria advanced to the playoff stage as one of the top runners-up from the African qualifiers. A 4-0 win over the Benin Republic, which included a Victor Osimhen hat-trick, helped bolster their position.
Super Eagles Secure 4-1 Extra-Time Victory
In the semi-final, Akor Adams found the net first for Nigeria. However, Gabon scored an equalizer, pushing the tense match into extra time.
Chidera Ejuke successfully regained the lead for the Super Eagles. After that, Victor Osimhen added two more goals, sealing the decisive 4-1 win.
Throughout the match, Fredrick was vital. He anchored a solid defense alongside Calvin Bassey, successfully containing Gabon’s offensive threats.
“Decisive and Pacy”: Oliseh’s High Praise
The former Nigerian midfielder used his social media account on Friday to celebrate the young defender. Oliseh singled out Fredrick as “the most influential player” for the Super Eagles in the match.
Furthermore, he specifically highlighted the defender’s excellent positioning, pace, decisiveness, and straightforward style of play.
“I personally found Benjamin Fredrick to be the most influential player yesterday versus Gabon for SuperEagles. Always well positioned, pacy, decisive and played simply,” Oliseh wrote.
He concluded with optimism: “Now let’s celebrate today. But from tomorrow Congo needs to be our next victim.”
Nigeria’s Next Steps and Fredrick’s Rise
Oliseh’s endorsement comes as Nigeria prepares for the playoff final. The Super Eagles will play the winner of the Cameroon versus DR Congo tie on November 16.
The winner of that final match will advance to the inter-continental playoff. This gives them a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fredrick, 20, started his career at the Simoiben Academy. He later played for ABS FC and Nasarawa United.
In 2023, English club Brentford FC signed him. He is currently on loan at K.F.C. Dender E.H. in Belgium to gain vital first-team experience.
Fredrick successfully moved from the Nigerian U-20 team (after the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup) to the senior squad in May 2025.
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