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Former Zamalek striker Samson Akinyoola has officially chosen to represent Benin Republic in international football, despite his eligibility to play for Nigeria, Soccernet.football reports.
FIFA has confirmed the 24-year-old’s switch, allowing him to don the Cheetahs’ jersey in upcoming competitions, according to Benin WebTV.
The decision brings an end to a prolonged wait for Akinyoola, who had been hindered by administrative hurdles regarding his sporting nationality.
With FIFA’s approval, the Kazma SC forward is now available for Benin’s national team ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
This development comes as a boost for Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, who will look to Akinyoola to bolster the team’s attacking options.
Akinyoola, who represented Benin during the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations qualifiers, retained eligibility to play for Nigeria due to his dual citizenship through his parents. However, his decision solidifies his commitment to the Cheetahs.
Akinyoola’s professional journey began at Lagos-based 36 Lions Soccer Academy.
He briefly joined Slovakian side DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda’s U-19 squad in February 2019 before returning to Nigeria following a short loan spell. Later in 2019, he moved to another Slovakian club, FK Senica, making his senior debut in the Fortuna Liga against DAC Dunajská Streda.
The forward’s career trajectory took him to Caracas FC in Venezuela in 2021, where his impressive performances led to a €1.2 million transfer to Egyptian giants Zamalek in September 2022.
However, his time at Zamalek was tumultuous, culminating in a contract termination in 2024 due to unpaid wages. Akinyoola subsequently joined Kazma SC in Kuwait on a free transfer in December.
During his stint at Zamalek, Akinyoola struggled for consistent form, scoring just four goals in 31 appearances. Despite limited success in Cairo, he contributed to Zamalek’s CAF Confederation Cup triumph in 2024. Across his career, Akinyoola has recorded 38 goals and 13 assists in 125 appearances for clubs across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
With this new chapter, Benin will hope Akinyoola’s experience and goal-scoring know-how will enhance their competitive edge on the international stage.
