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Rabat – France Football has slated three Moroccan international players for its “Maghreb Player of the Year” shortlist.
Ajax’s attacking midfielder, Hakim Ziyech; Juventus’ defender, Medhi Benatia; and Dortmund’s defender, Achraf Hakimi, have all made France Football magazine’s shortlist.
Benatia won last year’s award, ahead of Riyad Mahrez and Ziyech.
The magazine said that Benatia started well this year, profiting from defender Leonardo Bonucci’s 2017 departure from Juventus. But Bonucci’s return to Juventus in the summer cost Benatia his place among the starting 11 players.
It added that Benatia’s good year could have ended better without his penalty foul on Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez in the Champions League quarter finals.
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According to France Football, Hakimi is a multi-talented player who plays on both left and right sides. He performed well during Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Atletico de Madrid.
Just 19, Hakimi has proved his maturity in the three matches he has played with the Morrocan national football team.
Ziyech is certainly one of the most talented players in Africa, wrote France Football. It added that he managed an outstanding performance in 2018 and was even voted best player of the 2017-2018 Netherlands Championship.
The magazine selected nine players from the Maghreb, including three players from Algeria and three others from Tunisia. The names of the remaining players have yet to be announced.
