A scorer against Central African Republic and already on three goals in the CAN 2027 qualifiers, striker Rodolfo Aloko is going from strength to strength with Benin. Head coach Gernot Rohr praises his profile without pinning the talisman label on him.
Rodolfo Aloko has struck again. The Benin striker found the net in Benin’s 4-1 win over the Central African Republic, taking his tally to three goals in the CAN 2027 qualifiers, according to Foot-Africa. Fresh proof of his efficiency as Benin fine-tune their qualifying campaign.
But Gernot Rohr refuses to make him a saviour. Benin’s head coach dismissed the talisman notion out of hand, preferring to highlight the patient progress of a player who has been part of the squad since the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
“A talisman? No”
Gernot Rohr’s wording is categorical. “A talisman? No. He’s a good player. He isn’t the talisman. You don’t win matches these days thanks to a talisman. That would be too easy,” the head coach said, quoted by Foot-Africa. A way of crediting collective success to the group rather than to one man.
Rohr points out that the striker has been in the squad since the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and has gradually established himself as a starter. “We’ve had Aloko with us since the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. We’ve seen him. Little by little, he’s settled into this team,” he added, again according to Foot-Africa.
The coach also stresses his club performances, which have allowed the player to confirm his potential. He notes, moreover, that Aloko had scored again on the Sunday before the match.
A striker formed at Abomey
On the pitch, Aloko’s display against the Central African Republic went beyond the goal alone. According to Foot-Africa data, over 90 minutes he created one big chance and delivered three key passes. He also completed 18 of his 27 passes (67% success rate) and won 5 of his 11 ground duels.
Numbers that sketch out a striker able to weigh in on build-up play as much as on finishing. Gernot Rohr describes him thus: “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 fine career as a professional footballer.”
Formed at Dynamo d’Abomey, where he wore the number 10, Rodolfo Aloko has gradually climbed the pecking order in Benin’s attack, goal by goal in the qualifiers.
Douala to confirm
Benin have no time to dwell. The return match against the Central African Republic is scheduled for Monday 16 November 2026 in Douala, another chance for Aloko to extend his tally in these CAN 2027 qualifiers.