By Emmanuel Patrick Laku — Sports Hunter South Sudan
Juba - South Sudan - Adnan Aziz’s football journey has taken him from Djougou in northern Benin to several European football environments, including Italy, France and the Czech Republic. Along the way, the striker has pursued opportunities to develop his career and earned involvement with Benin’s U-23 national-team setup.
However, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in February 2026 interrupted his progress and forced him to step away from competitive football.
Now, the 24-year-old says he has received medical clearance to resume football activities and is preparing for the next stage of his career. His immediate target is to return to official competitive matches in December 2026, while a possible change of club could also shape his next move.
For Aziz, the challenge is to turn his recovery into a successful return and demonstrate that his ambitions remain within reach.
From Djougou to European football
Born on 1 January 2002 in Djougou, Benin, Aziz began his football journey with Soleil FC and Tchemabi FC in 2014, according to the career timeline he provided to Sports Hunter South Sudan.
His ambition eventually took him abroad. In 2018, he joined Pro Cittiglio in Italy before continuing his career with Angers MFC in France between 2018 and 2020.
He subsequently represented FK Králův Dvůr in the Czech Republic in 2020 and Olympique Saumur in France from 2020 to 2022. His career timeline also includes ASD Licata Calcio in Italy in 2022, followed by his association with ASD Juvenilia Roseto, where he remains as of 13 October 2026.
Moving between countries has given the forward experience of different footballing environments, each requiring adaptation to new teammates, coaching methods and tactical demands.
For a young striker, these transitions can be important opportunities for development. However, establishing a lasting position in professional football also requires consistency, competitive minutes and the ability to deliver when opportunities arise.
Aziz’s next chapter will depend on how he translates his accumulated experience into performances after his injury.
A milestone with Benin U-23
Aziz’s journey has also included involvement with Benin’s U-23 national-team setup, an important milestone in his development.
On 27 July 2022, Benin U-23 faced Aziza FC in a preparatory match at Stade René-Pleven in Akpakpa. The match ended in a 5–0 victory for Benin, with Aziz reportedly scoring the fifth goal with a header.
The forward has confirmed to Sports Hunter South Sudan that he was involved with the U-23 team during the preparation period in 2022. However, he has said the exact number of his appearances should be checked against official match records.
His involvement with the youth national team forms part of his international experience and underpins his ambition to progress further.
Aziz hopes to represent Benin’s senior national team, known as Les Guépards, in the future. For now, however, his priority is to return to competitive football and establish himself through consistent performances at club level.
The injury that changed his plans
In February 2026, Aziz suffered an ACL injury while associated with ASD Juvenilia Roseto in Italy. The setback required surgery and a rehabilitation process that interrupted his footballing plans.
For the striker, the period away from the pitch was difficult both physically and mentally. The uncertainty surrounding his recovery made him question his future in football, and he admits that there were moments when he considered giving up the game.
“There were moments when I questioned my future in football,” Aziz explained in his responses to Sports Hunter South Sudan.
He said his faith in God, the support of his family and the encouragement of people who continued to believe in him helped him persevere.
Aziz also acknowledged the support he received from people within his club environment, including club president Rocco Barillà and sporting director Massimo Napoli.
The experience, he said, taught him patience, discipline and resilience while changing how he views the opportunity to play football.
Rather than allowing the injury to define his career, he now wants to use the experience as motivation for his return.
Medical clearance and a December comeback target
As of 13 October 2026, Aziz remains associated with ASD Juvenilia Roseto in Italy. He says he has received medical clearance to resume football activities and is working towards returning to official competitive matches in December.
His target is to regain his match fitness, continue improving his physical condition and be ready when an opportunity to compete arises.
Medical clearance to resume football activities, however, does not automatically mean a player has regained full match fitness. After a serious knee injury, the transition back to competitive football requires preparation and an appropriate return-to-play process.
Aziz says he is determined to complete that next stage and demonstrate his readiness on the pitch.
His recovery also comes at a time when he is considering the future of his club career. He may move to another team during the December 2026 transfer window, depending on the opportunities available and the progress of discussions.
No new club agreement has been confirmed, and he remains associated with ASD Juvenilia Roseto for now.
For the forward, securing the right opportunity could be an important step towards rebuilding his momentum. Regular competitive football would give him the chance to demonstrate his progress and re-establish himself as a striker capable of contributing to a team's objectives.
Chacarita Juniors remains an ambition
Beyond his experience in Europe, Aziz has also spoken about his connection with Chacarita Juniors in Argentina.
In an interview with Argentine newspaper Olé, the forward discussed his interest in the club and a trial opportunity he had hoped to pursue before his ACL injury disrupted his plans.
The player has since clarified to Sports Hunter South Sudan that Chacarita Juniors remains an important sporting ambition. However, he cannot confirm an official offer or a new agreement with the Argentine club.
The distinction is important: his interest in Chacarita Juniors represents a possible future opportunity, not a confirmed transfer.
For Aziz, the ambition reflects his desire to explore further footballing environments and continue progressing after his recovery. Whether that interest develops into a concrete opportunity remains uncertain.
His immediate focus remains on returning to competitive action and preparing for whatever opportunity emerges next.
A message to clubs willing to offer an opportunity
Aziz believes his experience across different footballing environments has helped him develop both as a player and as a person. He now wants an opportunity to demonstrate those qualities again.
“I am not asking for special treatment. I am asking for an opportunity to demonstrate my abilities, earn the trust of the coaching staff, and contribute to the team's objectives through hard work, discipline, and commitment,” he said.
His message is directed at clubs and coaches willing to assess his abilities and consider him for a role within their teams.
Rather than seeking guarantees, he says he is prepared to work hard, earn trust and contribute through discipline and commitment.
For a player returning after an extended absence, the next opportunity will be about more than simply getting back onto the pitch. It will be a chance to rebuild confidence, establish consistency and show that he can meet the demands of competitive football again.
Aziz hopes to find an environment where he can continue developing as a striker while contributing to a team's success.
Les Guépards and the next 12 months
Over the next 12 months, Aziz wants to return to regular competitive football, establish himself in a suitable club environment and continue improving his game.
He also hopes to build on his youth international experience and move closer to his long-term ambition of representing Benin's senior national team.
Achieving that goal will depend on several factors, including his physical condition, performances at club level, consistency and the decisions of the national-team coaching staff.
For now, the first milestone is clear: return to competitive football and demonstrate his abilities through performances.
His journey has included opportunities in several countries, involvement with Benin U-23 and a serious injury that forced him to reassess his future. The next chapter will be shaped by the opportunities he receives and how he responds when he returns to action.
At 24, Aziz believes he still has important ambitions to fulfil.
From Djougou to Europe, his story continues. His next challenge is to turn recovery into competitive performances, find the right opportunity to advance his career and keep alive his dream of representing Benin at senior international level.
For Aziz, the comeback is not yet complete. The real test will come when he returns to the pitch.
Sports Hunter South Sudan
The Hunters of the Game
Editorial note: This profile was prepared using information supplied by Adnan Aziz and material relating to his football career. His return to competitive matches in December 2026 is a stated target, while any prospective club move remains unconfirmed.
