Netherlands U23 coach Michael Reiziger has called up Couhaib Driouech to join the Oranjes. The 22-year-old striker, who plays for PSV, played until recently for Morocco U23. However, he would be expected next week in Zeist.
Towards a change of sporting nationality for Couhaib Driouech? After nine selections with the Lion Cubs of the Atlas, the PSV Eindhoven player could well turn to the Dutch selection who put pressure on those around him to enlist him.
Driouech hoped to participate in the Olympics with Moroccan talents last summer. However, PSV refused to release him. “I talked a lot with the coach, but PSV didn’t want me to leave,” explained Driouech at the time. “I understand that, and it did not influence my choice to come to PSV,” he added.
Driouech joined PSV this summer from Excelsior. Currently, he is content with a few appearances as a substitute with the leading club in the Eredivisie. However, that was enough to convince Reiziger, who called him up for the friendly matches against the youth teams of Slovakia and England.
The former SC Heerenveen could well slip through the fingers of the Moroccan selection and make his debut this month with the Netherlands Espoirs if he honors his call-up.
“Driouech has already played youth matches with Morocco, but since he was born in the Netherlands, he could also play for us. We are of course very happy that Couhaib has chosen to join our selection, and we welcome him with open arms”declared the Oranjes coach.
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