Benin name ex-Hearts of Oak midfielder Salifu Ibrahim in squad for friendly

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Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Ibrahim Salifu has received his first call-up to the Benin senior national team, marking a new chapter in his international career.

The 25-year-old, currently playing for Kosovo side FC Drita, has been named in coach Gernot Rohr’s squad for an international friendly against Burkina Faso later this month after switching nationality from Ghana.

Salifu, who was born and developed his career in Ghana, has opted to represent Benin at the senior level.

He first rose to prominence in the Ghana Premier League with Eleven Wonders before joining Hearts of Oak in 2021. His arrival proved pivotal, helping the Phobians secure both the league title and the FA Cup in a historic campaign.

Since moving abroad, Salifu has continued his upward trajectory, playing a key role in FC Drita’s league success in Kosovo.

Benin, who recently qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, will compete in Group D alongside DR Congo, Senegal, and Botswana.

Squad below:

May be an image of American football and text that says "BÉNIN FBF LISTE DES JOUEURS CONVOQUÉS Burkina Faso # Bénin (18 NOVEMBRE 2025) "0ា"លសរ •Gardiens: DANDJINOU MARCEL, ALLAGBE KASSIFA SATURNIN. OBASSA SERGE, TCHINONVI MARIANO OMNORS Defenseurs FASSINOU RODRIGUE, KIKI DAVID, LAWSON JORDAN, MOUMINI RACHID, OUOROU TAMIMOU, ROCHE YOHAN, SANKAMAO RABIOU, TIJANI MOHAMED, VERDON OLIVIER Milieux: AHOUDO GISLAIN, ATTIDJIKOU SAMADOU, D'ALMEIDA SESSI, DOKOU DODO. DOSSOU PRINCE, HASSANE IMOURANE, KOSSI RODRIGUE, SALIFU IBRAHIM Attaquants: :AKIMEY ADAM, AMOUSSOU ROMARIC, DOSSOU JODEL HOUNTONDJI ANDREAS W. E. OLAITAN JUNIOR, RACHIDOU RAZACK, SANTOS FELIPE, TESSILIMI OLATOUNDJI, TOSIN AIYEGUN GERNOT GERNOTROHR ROHR coach Burkina Faso Bénin"