Morocco has made a lot of progress in recent years on the world stage, and places in the selection are now more and more expensive, which also generates some disadvantages.
Frustrated at not having his chance with the A’s after winning the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the versatile full-back Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk) would consider changing his sporting nationality for the benefit of Belgium. And he’s not the only one. For Couhaib Driouech, in fact, the choice has already been made…
Winner of the U23 CAN at home in the summer of 2023 (2 appearances during the tournament), the PSV Eindhoven winger then saw his place in the group erode and he was not selected for the Olympics. It is in this context that the native of Haarlem decided to switch sporting nationality and he will now represent the Netherlands.
On Friday, Driouech, 22, was called up with the Dutch Espoirs selection to face Slovakia (November 14) and England (November 18) in a friendly match. And Oranje U23 coach Michael Reiziger was clear about the player’s intentions.
“We welcome Couhaib Driouech with open arms”
“Driouech has already played in the U23 selection for the Moroccobut since he was born in the Netherlands, he was also allowed to play for us. We are of course very happy that Couhaib is making the switch and welcome him to our selection with open arms“, launched the technician on the official channel of the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB).
More in the spotlight since his arrival at PSV from Excelsior Rotterdam last summer (10 appearances, including 2 in the Champions League, 2 goals), did Driouech make this decision out of pure opportunism? Was he especially frustrated at having been zapped in the Moroccan U23 selection? In any case, seeing the winger again wearing the colors of Morocco seems highly unlikely after this episode, even if the FIFA regulations on dual nationals always authorizes him to do so.
Morocco
