Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has handed maiden call ups to three players as the country begins preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and neighbours Nigeria.
Rohr's 25-man squad for the two crunch games at the Felix Houphouet- Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on June 6 and June 10 is made up of 24-year-old Zamalek forward Samson Akinyoola who is of Nigerian descent, 18-year-old goalkeeper Karim Rahman who plies his trade with Dadge FC in Benin and 23-year-old striker Romaric Amoussou who features for Egyptian outfit Ismaily.
The experienced German tactician’s squad has as many as 19 foreign players with only six players playing the country’s domestic league.
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The Cheetahs are bottom of Group C with one point from two games having drawn goalless with Lesotho and lost 2-1 to South Africa. Rwanda leads the group standings with 4 four points, one point clear of second-placed South Africa. Nigeria are third with two points from two draws, just like Lesotho and Zinmbabwe who also have two points apiece.
Benin's 25-man squad to face Rwanda and Nigeria:
Goalkeepers: Saturnin Allagbé (Dijon FCO, France), Marcel Dandjinou (JDR Stars FC, South Africa), Karim Rahman Aziz (Dadje FC, Benin).
Defenders: Cédric Hountondji (Angers, France), David Kiki (FCV Farul Constanța, Romania), Rodrigue Fassinou ( Loto-Popo FC, Benin), Rachid Moumini (Ayema FC, Benin), Yohan Roche ( Quevilly – Rouen Métropole, France), Rabiou Sankamao (ASPAC Cotonou FC, Benin), Mohammed Tijani ( Yverdon-Sport FC, Switzerland), Olivier Verdon (PFC Ludogorets Razgrad, Bulgaria).
Midfielders: Sessi D'Almeida (Pau FC, France), Dokou Dodo ( Smouha SC, Egypt), Prince Ricardo Dossou ( ASVO Benin, Benin), Hassane Imourane ( Modern Future FC, Egypt), Mariano Ahouangbo ( AS Soliman, Tunisia), Mattéo Ahlinvi ( Arcachon, France), Junior Olaitan ( Troyes, France).
Attackers: Steve Mounié (Brest, France), Andréas Hountondji ( Rodez, France), Jodel Dossou ( Sochaux, France), David Tchétchao ( Chicago Fire FC II, USA), Tosin Aiyegun ( FC Lorient, France), Samson Akinyoola ( Zamalek, Egypt), Romaric Amoussou ( Ismaily SC, Egypt).