Ouahbi says El Karouani can still earn Morocco chance after Benfica display

Souffian El Karouani remains in Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi’s plans despite being left out of the squad for the next international break.

The 25-year-old defender started for Benfica on Wednesday evening, making his first appearance in the starting line-up for a considerable time. He made an immediate impact in the Europa League match against AC Milan by providing an assist.

Ouahbi said he had assessed El Karouani’s overall performance rather than focusing only on the decisive pass.

“Regarding El Karouani, you saw the assist he delivered yesterday, but I watched the match and I did not judge him only on that pass,” the Morocco manager said at a news conference.

The national team boss confirmed that El Karouani has been monitored since last season and suggested that the player had previously been close to joining Morocco.

“He is a player we have been following since last season; he has excellent qualities and plays for a major club. He came close to joining us,” said Ouahbi.

Although El Karouani was not included in the latest squad, Ouahbi stressed that the defender’s international prospects remain open.

“The door is closed to nobody, and he simply has to continue working hard. I think he will get his chance,” he added.

Ajax player Adellah Ouazane has instead been called up by Ouahbi for the next international break.

El Karouani joined Al Qadsiah from FC Utrecht last summer, but the regulations governing clubs in Saudi Arabia restricted his chances of securing regular football there. Saudi clubs are permitted to register only eight foreign players aged over 23.

As a result, El Karouani was sent on loan to Benfica, where his recent start and assist against AC Milan have again brought him into the Morocco manager’s focus.