Everton junior gets Benin's Afcon call-up

Everton academy player Halid Djankpata has been handed a maiden call up by Benin without yet playing a senior game of football as coach Gernot Rohr named 25 players for their Group L qualifier against holders Senegal in Cotonou on June 17.

The 18-year-old was born in Togo but raised in Italy and has been at Everton since the age of 14. He plays in midfield for their under-21 aside.

Rohr has also handed a first call up to Brandon Agounon, a 28-year-old defender, and Andreas Hountondji, a 20-year-old midfielder, who are both with French third division club Orleans.

Benin have yet to win a game in their group but were awarded the full haul of points from their last qualifier against Rwanda, who used a suspended player in their clash in March.

It has put Benin right back in contention in the group where Senegal have already qualified but where Mozambique also still have a chance and Rwanda are not yet out of contention.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Saturnin Allagbé (Dijon, France), Marcel Dandjinou (JDR Stars, South Africa), Serge Obassa (AS Cotonou)

Defendfers: Khaled Adenon (Doxa, Cyprus), Brandon Agounon (Orleans, France), Youssouf Assogba (Amiens, France), Cédric Hountondji (Angers, France), Rachid Moumini (Ayéma), Olivier Verdon (Ludogorets Razgrad, Bulgaria), Rabiou Sankamao(ASPAC), Mohamed Tijani (Zbrojovka Brno, Czech Republic)

Midfielders: Matteo Ahlinvi (Dijon, France), Halid Djankpata (Everton, England), Dodo Dokou (Smouha, Egypt), Ricardo Dossou (ASVO), Imourane Hassane (Loto-Popo), Andreas Hountondji (Orléans, France), Prince Marcellin Koukpo (CS Constantine, Algeria), Junior Olaïtan (Niort, France), Stéphane Sessegnon (Sirens, Malta)

Forwards: Tosin Aiyegun (FC Zürich, Switzerland), Jodel Dossou (Sochaux, France), Steve Mounié (Stade Brest, France), Cebio Soukou (Bandirmaspor, Turkey).