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Rabat – Moroccan players are lighting up pitches in Europe and beyond with top performances. Here is this week’s Team of The Week:
Yassine Bounou edged past Hamdallah’s AL Shabab 2-1. Hamdallah opened the scoring with a header in the 7th minute, but Sergej Savic equalized for Al Hilal in the 14th minute. Savic was back in the scoresheet in the 62nd minute to seal the win for Al Hilal. The Moroccan goalkeeper made four saves to deny Al Shabab from scoring the equalizer and was rated 7.6
Achraf Hakimi continues to impress in Ligue 1 for Paris Saint Germain (PSG). He ranks second in the league with four assists and leads defenders in goal contribution (6). His pace and creativity are unmatched. During Saturday’s game against Nantes, it looked like it would be a long night for the visitors when Hakimi scored in the 2nd minute when Mendes flashed a cross from the left Ramos did well to flick over to Hakimi to tap it in. However, Nantes scored the equalizer from a brilliant Abline who turned Pacho inside out, before finishing in style past Donnarumma with his left foot. Despite the draw, Achraf Hakimi was given the Man of the Match award and was rated 8.7.
Nayef Aguerd starred in Real Sociedad’s 2-0 win over Real Betis in La Liga. The Moroccan defender was rock-solid at the back, helping his team climb to ninth place with 21 points. The ex-West Ham centre-back was replaced by Jon Pacheco at the start of the second half due to injury and was rated 7.0. Meanwhile, Abde Ezzalzouli was quiet during the game and was subbed off in the 55th minute after a lacklustre performance.
Adam Masina delivered a commanding defensive performance despite his team losing the game 1-0 against Napoli. Masina earned the second-highest match rating (7.1) in his 13th appearance for Torino.
Noussair Mazraoui continues to impress in his new role as a right centre back in a three-defensive line for Manchester United. Manager Rubin Amorim is grateful for Noussair’s versatility and makes the most of his partnership with Matthijs De Ligt developed during their time at Bayern Munich. Mazraoui was substituted 10 minutes into the second half. Amorim said he opted to replace him with Harry Maguire to rest him for upcoming games and to prevent any injuries through exhaustion. He was rated 7.1.
Rabie Hrimat was instrumental in FAR Rabat’s win against Chabab Soualem. The box-to-box midfielder pulled the string in midfield to create chances for attackers. The win propels FAR Rabat to second place with 20 points. The 30-year-old provided one assist created three chances and was rated 7.5
Soufian Diop scored his third Ligue 1 goal in Nice’s 4-1 defeat to Lyon. Despite the loss, Soufian was the second most accurate short and long passer in the game. He was rated 8.0.
Ismael Saibari was brilliant for PSV in their 5-3 win over Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie. Saibari scored twice and provided a key assist, earning his spot as the game’s Man of the Match. He now boasts three goals and five assists in 11 league matches this season.
Brahim Diaz returned to Real Madrid’s starting lineup, helping the Los Blancos to secure a 2-0 win over Getafe. The playmaker played 90 minutes and created the most chances (3) in the game and was rated 7.0
Hamza Igamane is settling into life in Scotland, scoring two goals and providing one assist in Rangers’ 4-1 win over Nice away from home. He was also awarded Man of the Match. Last Sunday, Hamza featured in the starting eleven for Rangers in their small 1-0 win over Saint Johnstone. He played 67 minutes and was rated 6.8.
Ayoub El Kaabi played a key role in Olympiacos’ 2-0 victory against Heraklion. Though he did not score, the Moroccan striker assisted both goals for Biancone and Chiquinho. Ayoub played a full game and was rated 7.8.
MWN Team of The Week: Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; Hrimat, Diop, Saibari; Diaz, Igamane, El Kaabi
