Benin call up 16-year-old AAS Sarcelles midfielder Parfait Faton

Parfait Faton has been called up to the Benin senior squad at the age of 16, despite currently playing in France’s U17 National competition for amateur club AAS Sarcelles.

The midfielder, born in 2010, has been selected by manager Gernot Rohr for Benin’s two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Central African Republic on 12 and 16 November.

Faton’s promotion is a significant step from the level at which he is currently playing to international football. He represents AAS Sarcelles in the Val-d’Oise region and competes in the national under-17 championship.

That competition is separate from the National – now known as Ligue 3 – which is the third tier of French professional football. Faton has yet to play a senior professional match, but could now find himself training alongside established international players.

His development has included time at the Centre d’Excellence de N’Dali in Benin before he joined the Diambars academy in Senegal. He later continued his football education in France.

Faton is also reported to have trained with Paris FC after successfully completing a trial, although he has not signed for the club.

He made a strong impression at the UFOA-B U20 tournament in July, despite being younger than most of his opponents, and was subsequently made captain of the Benin U17 side.

A versatile midfielder, Faton can play as an attacking midfielder, a defensive midfielder or a full-back. His agility, technical ability and speed in turning away from pressure are among the qualities that have drawn attention to him.

The decision to select a player still competing at U17 level has attracted an enthusiastic response in Benin. One user on X wrote: “He will be the best Beninois player of all time, you will hear about him in a few years.”

That optimism will need to be balanced against the demands facing Faton. The physical, tactical and athletic gap between U17 National football in France and senior international competition is substantial, and he still has several stages to pass before he can establish himself with the Guepards.

Rohr, however, has extensive experience of African international football, having previously managed Nigeria and several other national teams. His decision to involve such a young player is therefore unlikely to have been made without careful consideration.

It remains unclear whether Faton will play any part in the matches against Central African Republic. The camp may instead be intended to introduce him gradually to the senior squad, while also providing greater exposure as he seeks to advance his club career.