This Dutch gem is waiting for the call from Morocco

A weekend with friends in Paris was abruptly canceled for Ayoub Oufkir. As he was about to enjoy a few days of rest after a friendly match with AZ Alkmaar, the 20-year-old striker received an unexpected call. The coach of the Dutch youth team, Michael Reiziger, urgently called him to replace Ro-Zangelo Daal, who was injured in training in Norway.

On Bladi.net: Netherlands: general panic at the idea of losing a gem to Morocco

The change of program was instantaneous. While his teammates were still on the field, Oufkir rushed home to pack his suitcase. A taxi dispatched by the federation was already waiting for him to take him to Schiphol airport. "I was already looking forward to this three-day weekend, but these days of rest can always wait," the young player confided.

This choice proved to be profitable during the match against Belgium. For his first appearance in the "Jong Oranje" jersey, Oufkir was the man of the match, being involved in both goals of the victory (2-1). Scoring a goal and providing an assist, he seized his chance perfectly. "That’s all we dream of," he said after the game.

This success is part of the continuity of an early career marked by a European Championship title with the under-19s in Romania. Trained for eleven years at Sparta Rotterdam, the striker joined AZ Alkmaar last winter for a multi-million euro transfer. This transfer marked a turning point, forcing him to settle far from the family cocoon of Rotterdam-Crooswijk.

On Bladi.net: FIFA validates the arrival of a Belgian gem with the Atlas Lions

Despite his roots, the player points out that he has never been approached by the Moroccan federation to join their national teams. For now, it is with the Netherlands that he is thriving fully. "The orange jersey really gives me a boost," Oufkir enthused. For him, wearing these colors is an experience he simply describes as "great".

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWq7hQ1DOSI/