Gernot Rohr, the Benin head coach, is expected to field a three-man midfield and an Aiyegun-Aloko-Olaitan attacking trio against the Central African Republic, according to the probable line-up unveiled by AfricaSoccer.com for Thursday 12 November’s first leg.
Benin host the Central African Republic on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 19:00 GMT, in the first leg of the third round of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Ahead of the match, AfricaSoccer.com unveiled a probable Benin line-up, which carries no official status.
According to that source, Gernot Rohr is expected to keep a three-man midfield, a set-up that would both hold the defensive shape and carry the threat forward. Up front, Tosin Aiyegun, the Lorient forward, Rodolfo Aloko and Junior Olaitan would form the attacking trio.
A Beninese 4-3-3 with a three-man midfield
According to AfricaSoccer.com, the Benin line-up should shape up as follows: Marcel Dandjinou in goal; Ouorou, Roche, Tijani and Charlemagne Azongnitode in defence; Imourane, Sessi d’Almeida and Dokou in midfield; Tosin Aiyegun, Rodolfo Aloko and Junior Olaitan in attack. A 4-3-3 set-up that entrusts the middle to three players.
This organisation serves a dual purpose: defensive solidity and an attacking threat, according to the same source. Tosin Aiyegun wears the number 15; born on 26 June 1988, he stands 179 cm tall and is right-footed, according to Qiumiwu.com. The file does not detail his statistics with the national team.
Opposite them, a compact and quick Central African Republic
The Central African Republic are also expected to line up in a 4-3-3, compact without the ball and quick in transition, particularly down the wings, again according to AfricaSoccer.com. Their probable XI: Youfeigane – Yapende, M’Baka, Gambor, Sambia – Baboula, Quarshie, Diomande – Koyalipou, Djimet, Solet.
The betting market offers an indication: according to 1xbet, a Benin win is priced at 1.47, a draw at 3.57 and a Central African success at 6.59, again according to AfricaSoccer.com. These are only odds, which do not pre-empt the result.
Unofficial line-ups
These line-ups remain predictions put together by AfricaSoccer.com, not official team sheets. Among the available elements, Gernot Rohr has made no statement on the XI he will field at kick-off.
The match is set for Thursday 12 November 2026 at 19:00 GMT. The date of the return leg of the double-header does not appear in the available elements.