Rodolfo Aloko, Benin’s new attacking weapon

12.11.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Benin

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Central African Republic

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Rodolfo Aloko continues to make strides with Benin’s Cheetahs. The forward scored again in their 4-1 win over the Central African Republic, taking his tally to three goals in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. His clinical finishing is attracting attention, but Gernot Rohr prefers to view it as part of both the team’s and the player’s progress.

A player who gradually earned his place

Asked whether Aloko could play the role of a “talisman” in the team, the Benin head coach sought to qualify the idea, pointing out that the forward has been part of the squad since the last Africa Cup of Nations:

A talisman? No. He’s a good player. He’s not the talisman. You don’t win matches these days because of a talisman. It would be too easy. We’ve had Aloko with us since the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. We’ve seen him. Little by little, he has settled into this team.

Coach Gernot Rohr notably pointed out that Aloko’s club performances have allowed him to confirm his potential, that he is now a regular starter and that he had scored again on the Sunday before the match against Lionel Messi’s team.

A profile that offers several options

The coach did not limit himself to commenting on his player’s current performances. He also believes that Aloko has the qualities needed to build an interesting professional career:

He’s powerful. He’s quick. He knows how to score goals. He’s combative. I think he’s a young man who can have a good career as a professional footballer.

Against the Central African Republic, the former No. 10 for Dynamo d'Abomey showed that he could contribute to the game beyond his role as a finisher. In 90 minutes, he scored a goal, created a big chance and delivered three key passes. He also completed 18 of his 27 passes, a 67% success rate, and won five of his 11 ground duels.

With three goals in the qualifiers and an increasingly influential role in Benin’s play, Rodolfo Aloko is continuing to make progress. The remainder of the campaign will show whether he can maintain this momentum and establish himself as a regular among the Cheetahs’ key players.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr

Related teams and leagues

Benin

Central African Republic

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations