Benarfa (footballer)

Benarfa

Personal information
Full name	Mankoka Hegene Afonso
Date of birth	(2001-01-25) 25 January 2001 (age 24)
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Moss
Number	49
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2020	Progresso Sambizanga	20	(6)
2020–2021	Bravos do Maquis	25	(8)
2021–2023	1º de Agosto	27	(6)
2023–2024	Kabuscorp	23	(15)
2024–	Moss	7	(1)
International career^‡
2021–	Angola	7	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 September 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 2 September 2024

Mankoka Hegene Afonso, nicknamed Benarfa (born 25 January 2001) is an Angolan football striker who plays for Moss FK in Norway.

Career

He spent the start of his career in Clube Chave de Ouro in Uíge, Sambizanga and Contemplate Futebol Clube in Fubú, Talatona.[1] Following spells at the Girabola clubs Progresso Sambizanga, Bravos do Maquis and Primeiro de Agosto, where he at best scored 5 to 8 goals in a season, he joined Kabuscorp S.C.P. in 2023.[2] With 15 league goals in 23 games, he became top goalscorer of the 2023–24 Girabola. He also broke the internal record in Kabuscorp, where Daniel Mpele Mpele previously had scored 14 goals in one season, whereas Benarfa was behind Albert Meyong Ze's goalscoring record in the Girabola.[1]

Benarfa made his debut for Angola in 2021.[2] He played in the 2023 COSAFA Cup[3] and the 2024 COSAFA Cup, which Angola won.[4]

In the summer of 2024 he was signed as a free agent by Norwegian First Division club Moss FK. Being a Portuguese speaker, Benarfa would reside with Moss' Portuguese back João Barros.[5] Following a short period of adjustment to a new continent, he scored his first goal against Sogndal.[6]

Personal life

The nickname Benarfa was given to him in childhood. Benarfa hardly knew his father, and lost his mother in 2016, whereafter he lived with his five brothers.[5]

Honours

International

• COSAFA Cup: 2023

References

1. Arroz, Elsa (10 June 2024). "Ben Arfa mostra pontaria e supera a concorrência". Jornal de Angola (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2 September 2024.
2. Benarfa at National-Football-Teams.com
3. "Angola out to avoid Mauritius upset". Super Sport. 9 July 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
4. Bekkåsen, Joakim (17 July 2024). "23-årig superspiss fra Angola klar for MFK" (in Norwegian). Moss FK. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
5. Kjøniksen, Helge (23 July 2024). "Mistet moren som 15-åring – nå jakter «Benarfa» opprykk med MFK". Moss Avis (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2 September 2024.
6. Kjøniksen, Helge (24 August 2024). "MFK jakter mer «Benarfa»-jubel mot opprykksrival". Moss Avis (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2 September 2024.