Moroccan Striker Benjdida Silences Critics with Stellar Performance for Standard

The 23-year-old Moroccan international, who has gained the trust of Croatian coach Ivan Leko, was decisive in Dender. "In a dominant team, he can finish the actions, he is a real striker in the box, you shouldn’t leave him two meters. At Genk, in a difficult game, he only had one chance, he put it in (NB: the goal was ultimately disallowed). This is proof that he has something," Marc Wilmots, former coach of the Belgian national team, declared two weeks ago on the set of La Tribune.

Benjdida had caught Wilmots’ eye, then coach of Raja Casablanca. At the time, the young 20-year-old player was playing in the club’s reserve team and the technician brought him to the first team. A wise choice, especially since at the end of the season, Benjdida had scored 8 goals, revealing himself as one of the prodigies of Moroccan football. But in financial crisis, Raja had to part with the young striker, selling him at a reasonable price to Standard who had expressed interest in the player, relays La Dernière Heure.

When he arrived in Belgium, Benjdida did not speak French, which made his integration difficult in the Standard Espoirs. Very discreet but hardworking, the Moroccan international did not meet expectations, finishing the season with six goals. But he revealed himself in the A team after being called up by Ivan Leko at the end of last season, scoring a goal in Mechelen (2-3). A goal that motivated the Liège club’s management to give him a chance.

Benjdida is trying to convince that he deserves his place in the squad. But for now, he is unable to carry the attack alone. The young player seems more effective in a duo. He does not intend to leave Standard before revealing his talent. Despite his drop in form and worrying results last season, he had wished to remain in the Liège club.