Rabat – Moroccan national football player Adel Taarabt expressed his joy over joining the Atlas Lions again. Taarabt is on the shortlist of head coach of Morocco’s national football team Vahid Halilovic, who called him for two friendly games.
Taarabt told the press on Monday, September 2, that it is “always an honor” for him to defend the colors of Morocco. Taarabt made his remarks after a training session with the national team.
The football player currently plays for Benfica.
He said that he is happy to meet his teammates, the new coach, and the new technical staff.
He also said that he gained a lot of “maturity” through the years, he is looking forward to using his experience while playing for the national team.
In several interviews prior to the release of the new coach’s shortlist, the football player expressed his wish to join the Atla Lions.
In 2017 during an interview with national sports TV channel Arryadia, the footballer said that he missed the national team. He has not played with the Lions for several years.
Taarabt made a number of mistakes while playing for the Moroccan team. On the eve of the national team’s match against Algeria during the 2012 African of Cup of Nations qualifiers, he decided to leave the training camp and did not play the match.
He blamed Moroccan media for continuous rumors. He said that the majority of rumors published about him were penned by “unprofessional journalists.”
“They were not aware that these rumors might affect my sporting career and even my family,” the player said.
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Several other football players also expressed their satisfaction with being called upHalilovic, including Walid Karti and Jaouad Yamiq.
Yamiq said that the national team is ready to win the two friendlies against Niger and Burkina Faso scheduled to take place in Marrakech.
The Atlas Lions will play their friendly against Burkina Faso on September 6, while the second friendly match against Niger will take place on September 10.
Yamiq added that it w the friendlies will be an opportunity for Halilhodzic to assess the players’ performances.
El Kari said that there is a “friendly atmosphere” in the training camp.
He added that the national team is open to “all players whether local players or those playing in international championships.”
