Ramadane Karim, Gernot Rohr’s pleasant surprise

He has never worn the Guépards jersey. He has never left Benin to pursue a career abroad. And yet, at just 20 years old, Ramadane Karim finds his name on Gernot Rohr’s extended squad list to face Morocco in a friendly on June 10, 2025. So who is this raw talent emerging from the heart of the country?

Discovered thanks to a local tournament

Ramadane Karim never passed through an elite academy. He was spotted during the Tournoi des Grandes Vacances, an event set up to unearth young talents in Alibori, under the patronage of President Labiou Amadou Djibril. This tournament changed his life—almost overnight. After a successful trial, he joined AS Takunnin and has been on a steady rise ever since.

“He impresses with his delicate technique, vision on the pitch, and ability to break through the lines with the ball at his feet,” says Bachirou Issa, a member of the AS Takunnin staff. Injured as early as the second matchday of the 2024-2025 season, he missed the entire first half of the Pro League campaign. But since his return, the AS Takunnin captain has been ever-present in the starting eleven, stringing together 13 consecutive matches with authority and consistency.

The moment of reward

His call-up for the training camp against Morocco is a first. It’s well-deserved recognition for a quiet, hard-working player. Karim Ramdane is about to discover the senior national team, undoubtedly with the ambition to make his mark for the long run. At 20, he now embodies the hope of a more open Beninese football, where young talents are finally having their say.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr