Several Morocco U20 players have reportedly declined the chance to feature at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, preferring instead to fight for a place in their club sides, coach Mohamed Ouahbi has revealed.
“We started from a large group of around 55 players, and it was complicated, not just for Morocco, but for many teams. We prepared a preliminary list, sent it to clubs, and waited for their responses,” Ouahbi said at a press conference on Friday.
The coach explained that some clubs refused to release their players, while others were undecided. Some players themselves chose to stay with their teams, saying:
“No, coach, even if the club agrees, I’ll stay with my team and focus on my place. I prefer to prove myself here.”
Ouahbi added that the final squad selection involved difficult decisions:
“Some players in the previous edition weren’t very good, but we gave them a second chance and they joined other camps. In the end, we picked the most ready players. We faced difficulties with clubs refusing to release their players, and also with players who didn’t want to join.”
He also praised clubs that supported the national team:
“We must thank the clubs that allowed their players to participate in the World Cup. I noticed that when a player truly wants to represent Morocco at U20 level, he can influence his club’s decision.”
Two players in particular had to push hard to gain clearance from their foreign clubs:
“We have concrete cases; as of yesterday, two players had foreign clubs refusing to release them. The technical director said ‘no’, the coach said ‘no’, and the president too. The request was denied three or four times. But in the end, they will join the national team because they insisted and made the decision despite the risks.”
Ouahbi concluded by commending those willing to make sacrifices:
“The player left his place in the team and may find himself out later. Still, he sacrificed himself; these players deserve great respect and we must focus on them. As for those who didn’t want to take the risk, no problem, they are still young, and their turn will come later, but we must not forget those who made real sacrifices.”
Ouahbi has announced his 21-man squad for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, which runs from 27 September to 19 October.
The Atlas Cubs have been drawn in a tough Group C alongside Brazil, Mexico and Spain. Morocco booked their place at the World Cup after reaching the final of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo earlier this year.
