Parfait Faton has received his first senior call-up for Benin at the age of 16, despite currently playing in the French under-17 national championship with amateur club AAS Sarcelles.

The midfielder has been included by coach Gernot Rohr for Benin’s two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Central African Republic on 12 and 16 November.

Faton was born in 2010 and his selection represents a significant step from youth football in the Paris region to the demands of international competition. He has not yet played a professional match, but will now join a Benin squad containing established senior internationals.

He is spending this season with AAS Sarcelles in Val-d’Oise, competing in the French U17 National division. That competition is for under-17 players and should not be confused with the National, now known as Ligue 3, which is France’s third tier of professional football.

Faton began his development at the Centre d’Excellence de N’Dali in Benin before moving to the Diambars academy in Senegal. He later continued his training in France and is also reported to be working with Paris FC after successfully completing a trial, although he has not signed for the club.

The teenager attracted attention in July when he performed strongly at the UFOA-B U20 tournament despite being below the usual age group. He was subsequently named captain of the Benin U17 side.

Faton can operate in several positions, including as an attacking midfielder, a defensive midfielder or a full-back. His qualities reportedly include agility, technical ability and the capacity to turn quickly when under pressure.

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

Such predictions remain premature, however. The physical, tactical and athletic gap between the French U17 National championship and senior international football is substantial, and Faton still has several stages to complete before he can establish himself with the Guepards.

Rohr’s decision is nevertheless notable. The Franco-German coach has previously managed Nigeria and several other African national teams, giving him extensive experience of the demands of top-level football on the continent.

It remains unclear whether Faton will feature in either match against Central African Republic. The November camp could instead be used to introduce him gradually to the senior group, while also giving him greater exposure as he seeks to advance his club career.