WINDSOR, Colo. — Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC forward Donald Benamna has been called up by the Central African Republic national team for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar on March 23 and March 27.
Benamna is the first active Hailstorm FC player to be selected for his national team.
“This is beyond an excitement, honestly,” Benamna said. “It is a privilege and honor to represent my country. A very special opportunity that will always remain within my heart.”
This won’t be the first go around for Benamna with Les Fauves, as he has represented his country on three previous occasions, including in a pair of qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco in November 2020.
“When we signed him, I saw glimpses of his ability whilst playing for his country in 2020,” Hailstorm FC head coach Éamon Zayed said
Benamna will be hoping to help Central African Republic qualify for its first major tournament, as they currently sit three points behind Angola and Ghana for the final qualifying spot in Group E for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, which will take place in January. The final qualifying matches take place in June and September.
“To be able to represent your country is the pinnacle of any professional player’s career,” Zayed said. “It’s such a magnificent and proud moment not only for the player but also the whole Hailstorm family.”
Benamna will miss Hailstorm FC’s season opener at Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on March 25.
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The future home of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, 118-acre Future Legends Complex, will feature 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium, 2,500-seat Future Legends Field, multiple baseball diamonds, multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports leagues, tournaments, events and more.
More information is available at HailstormFC.com and FutureLegendsComplex.com.