Adnan Ouijed, 23, with four goals this season for Standard Liège, features on Morocco’s preliminary squad list. According to Le Soir, the Belgian federation has contacted the forward in an attempt to convince him to play for Belgium.
The battle is being fought on two fronts. Adnan Ouijed, a 23-year-old winger or forward plying his trade at Standard Liège, has seen his name included on Morocco’s preliminary squad list. At the same time, the Belgian federation has contacted the player to try to convince him to wear the Belgium shirt, Le Soir reports, in information relayed by YSscores. This information, which for now remains rumour, has not been officially confirmed.
Nothing has been decided yet: born in Verviers, Belgium, the player has never featured for the senior national team, which leaves his international future open. Neither federation can therefore consider the matter settled, and the decision of the player himself is still awaited.
A productive forward this season
This season, the Standard forward has four goals and four assists in ten matches for the Liège club, despite his team’s fluctuating results. That attacking output interests both national teams.
His path is that of a player developed in Belgium: Ouijed began at the KRC Genk academy before joining Patro Eisden and then Standard Liège. He has also worn the colours of Belgium’s youth teams, but has not pulled on their shirt for five years, according to the details reported by YSscores.
Belgium keen to avoid another loss
The Belgian federation’s move is a preventive one: according to Le Soir, it is seeking to avoid losing another dual-nationality talent. Ouijed indeed holds both Moroccan and Belgian nationality, which places him squarely in that situation.
The inclusion of his name on the Moroccan preliminary list, revealed by Le Soir, now puts Belgium in direct competition for the player. Whether the sporting argument will be enough remains to be seen: no guarantee of playing time is mentioned in the available information.
A list expected on 4 November
Morocco’s list is due to be published by Ouahbi on 4 November. Ouijed could see his name officially confirmed among the Atlas Lions on that occasion.
Until then, the player’s decision on his international choice is still awaited. The available information does not indicate a precise timetable for that decision.