Rabat – Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech has earned praise from Botafogo supporters following his first appearances for the Brazilian club, with his technical ability, attacking contribution, and work rate drawing attention despite the team’s recent struggles.
Ziyech started Botafogo’s latest match against Vasco da Gama, which ended in a 2-1 defeat in the Brazilian league. Despite the result, the 33-year-old received a rating of 7/10 from Sofascore, reflecting a performance that stood out among his teammates.
The Moroccan winger showed his willingness to contribute to Botafogo’s attacking play, moving across the pitch and looking for ways to create opportunities. His performance has encouraged supporters who hope he can help the team improve its results in the coming weeks.
Botafogo have struggled to find consistency during the early stages of coach Tite’s tenure, increasing the importance of experienced players such as Ziyech as the club seeks to climb the league standings.
Speaking after the match, Tite hailed Ziyech’s qualities and explained that the Moroccan international had played more minutes than he initially expected.
“Ziyech is a playmaker, and he received a rating of 7 out of 10 in the last match. He played more minutes than I expected because of the high technical demands from the club’s staff,” the coach said.
Tite also highlighted the player’s tactical flexibility, noting that he can operate both centrally and on the wings.
“He can play as a playmaker, but he can also play out wide. His technical qualities allow him to fill several positions in the attacking line,” the former Brazil national team coach added.
Ziyech’s ability to operate in different attacking roles could prove valuable as Botafogo look to improve their performances. His creativity and experience at the highest level may offer the team additional options in the final third, particularly as it seeks to turn promising individual displays into better collective results.
The Moroccan has made two appearances for Botafogo so far. He first featured as a substitute against Mirassol before earning a place in the starting lineup against Vasco da Gama. Both matches came in the 28th and 29th rounds of the Brazilian league.
Ziyech joined Botafogo during the summer transfer window as a free agent after leaving Moroccan club Wydad Athletic Club. He signed a two-year contract with the Brazilian side, beginning a new chapter in a career that has taken him across several continents.
The move also marked his first professional experience in South America. Before joining Botafogo, Ziyech played in Europe and Africa, as well as Asia, where he represented Qatari club Al-Duhail.
Despite his encouraging individual performances, the former Ajax, Chelsea, and Galatasaray player faces the challenge of helping Botafogo improve their position in the league. The club sits 13th with 35 points, leaving it under pressure to collect more points in the remaining rounds.
