The coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle says debutant Benjamin Fredrick who gave a five star performance in the 5-4 penalty kicks final win over Jamaica in the Unity Cup after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Called up as a replacement for the captain of the team Ahmed Musa who left the team’s camp in London after the first game against Ghana, Fredrick was surprisingly handed a start by Chelle. A bold move which paid off.
Fredrick who plays for the U23 of Brentford and was recently voted the player’s player of the year for the U23 played the entire duration of the game, and won accolades for his performance. It earned him a spot in the team for the friendly game against Russia on Friday.
Chelle while reacting to a question from London based Nigerian journalist Austine Okon Akpan said the 20 year old needs to be protected because this is just the start of what he believe will be a long international future with the Nigerian team.
“I can say something we need to protect him ( Fredrick ) because he played well and the reality is for him to continue to improve and work hard and we need to to protect him because this is not the end”, Chelle said in the interview in London.
” He is the future of the national team and I think he made a great game, but the reality we conceded two goals. This is the reality. He’s a good player, but we took two goals in and his first role is defending.
“He has a lot of quality about technical skills. He’s fast! So good, boy! Good boy, a good boy and a good player”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
