Benin's AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Squad: In-Form Joseph Ede Oloko Earns a Shock Call-Up
Photo: CAF
Benin coach Gernot Rohr has handed a first call-up to Joseph Ede Oloko, who has scored 26 goals for Latvian side Liepaja this season, for qualifiers against Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
Some call-ups need no explanation. Joseph Ede Oloko has scored 26 goals and provided six assists in 30 matches this season for Latvian side Liepaja — and Benin coach Gernot Rohr has rewarded that form with a first international call-up, straight into a 25-man squad for three matches across the September window.
Benin travel to Burkina Faso on 25 September before hosting Mauritania four days later, then head to Buenos Aires for a high-profile friendly against world champions Argentina on 6 October.
Filling the gap left by Mounié
Oloko's timing is good: established striker Steve Mounié is unavailable through injury, opening a route into the attack alongside familiar names Jodel Dossou and Aiyegun Tosin. Rodolfo Aloko, Said Ngobi, Junior Olugbade, Olatoundji Tessilimi and Yamirou Ouorou complete a deep attacking group as Rohr looks for solutions in Mounié's absence.
Defender Olivier Verdon is also missing, this time through suspension, forcing some reshuffling at the back. Yohan Roche and Mohamed Tijani lead a defence that also includes Amiro Amadou, Charlemagne Azongnitode, Iréné Glele, Rachid Moumini, Liam Omore and Tamirou Ouorou.
Midfield experience
Sessi D'Almeida remains a fixture in midfield, joined by Mattéo Ahlinvi and Junior Olaitan, plus Dodo Dokou, Imourane Hassan and Samadou Attidjikou.
Three very different tests
The opening two qualifiers against Burkina Faso and Mauritania will shape Benin's Group F campaign, but the Argentina friendly in Buenos Aires is the standout fixture of the window — a rare chance for Rohr's squad, Oloko included, to measure themselves against one of the best teams in the world.
Full Benin squad
Goalkeepers: Saturnin Allagbé, Serge Obassa, Marcel Dandjinou
Defenders: Amiro Amadou, Charlemagne Azongnitode, Iréné Glele, Rachid Moumini, Liam Omore, Tamirou Ouorou, Yohan Roche, Mohamed Tijani
Midfielders: Mattéo Ahlinvi, Samadou Attidjikou, Sessi D'Almeida, Dodo Dokou, Imourane Hassan, Junior Olaitan
Forwards: Rodolfo Aloko, Jodel Dossou, Said Ngobi, Joseph Oloko, Junior Olugbade, Olatoundji Tessilimi, Aiyegun Tosin, Yamirou Ouorou
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Squad information sourced from CAF's official announcement, 18 September 2026.
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