At 17, Abdellah Ouazane impresses with Ajax… then takes the metro to coach young girls
At 17, Abdellah Ouazane is beginning to establish himself at Ajax. Away from the spotlight, the young Moroccan is continuing his education while crossing Amsterdam on public transport to coach a girls’ youth team.
His brief appearance against Excelsior was enough to attract attention. Driving forward with the ball, accelerating and attempting a shot: Abdellah Ouazane immediately posed a threat. Dutch columnist Henk Spaan even gave him a rating of 9/10 in Het Parool, reports Bladna.
Karim El Ahmadi was also very enthusiastic on ESPN. The former Moroccan international appreciates his runs in behind, his control of the ball, his acceleration and this uncommon combination of size, technique and mobility. He believes the young midfielder has the qualities needed to become a major Ajax player.
Ouazane, who has already confirmed his intention to represent Morocco, is nevertheless continuing to progress without rushing the steps.
On Bladi.net : The Netherlands see their 17-year-old gem choose Morocco
A few days before his performance against Excelsior, another side of the player had attracted attention in the Netherlands. NOS accompanied him after a session at De Toekomst, Ajax’s training centre. Having finished his work with the first team, Ouazane still had to reach his internship location on the other side of Amsterdam.
From Ajax’s training centre to the metro
The Moroccan is pursuing vocational training at Johan Cruijff College. As part of his course, he is completing an internship at amateur club WV-HEDW, in the east of the Dutch capital, where he is expected to coach a girls’ youth team every Wednesday.
At 17, he cannot yet travel alone by car. He therefore leaves Ajax’s centre on foot, takes the metro and then completes his journey by bus. A routine that sometimes surprises passengers when they recognise the young player recently introduced to the first team in a carriage. Ouazane, for his part, sees nothing extraordinary in it.
A nationwide transport strike had even prevented him from leading his session the week before. “People sometimes forget that I’m only 17,” he had explained to NOS at the time.
His schedule can be particularly demanding. When the Dutch media outlet followed him, Ouazane had played 23 minutes in the Eredivisie against Willem II the previous day. After a short night, he had gone on to train with the first team, complete a weight-training session and then travel to his internship. His teammate Julian Brandt had also been surprised to learn that he still had to go to school.
On Bladi.net : Abdellah Ouazane Ajax Morocco 2030 World Cup Phenomenon
Despite his rapid progress, Ouazane is keen to continue his education so that he has an option after his career. He is already considering a possible transition into coaching young players, with the idea of one day passing on to children everything he will have learned in professional football.
This double life also allows him to remain connected to “the normal things in life” as his fame grows. After training, an improvised session of photos and autographs and several requests from young supporters, the player simply takes the bus and then the train home to Zaandam.
