THE ARAB SPRING
Ex-youth boss Wotte says Youssef’s glory goal is a giant leap forward for African and Arabian nations but even he didn’t think the last four miracle was possible
THE magical Moroccans are the most mesmerising story of this World Cup packed with shocks.
And Mark Wotte is surprised – despite helping shape the career of seven Atlas Lions semi-final stars.
The former SFA performance director coached the Morocco Under-23s between 2016 and 2019.
He worked with the likes of Sofyan Amrabat, quarter-final goal hero Youssef En-Nesyri as well as PSG star Achraf Hakimi – and knows the quality and character in the squad.
Wotte loved what he saw in coach Walid Regragui when he was an up-and-coming boss in the Moroccan league.
But Regragui took charge only three months ago and Wotte couldn’t have predicted this giant-killing run after a turbulent build-up.
The Dutchman, now youth supremo for Syria, said: “I worked with these boys in their late teens. To see them playing on this stage makes me very happy. I never thought a semi-final was possible. If you told me they’d knock out Belgium, Spain and Portugal, I’d have said you were crazy – even though they’ve some exceptional players.
“To get to the top four in the world is a massive boost for African and Arab nations.
“It’s very special. They’re representing the Arab world.
“In Algeria, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, everyone cheers for Morocco. They’re thinking, ‘It could be us in 12 years’.
“I watched the game in a restaurant in Syria – even people who love Ronaldo were cheering for Morocco.”
A huge shout came from Wotte’s table when En-Nesyri’s towering first-half header stunned the Portuguese.
For Wotte can remember the striker being tearaway trouble before getting on the straight and narrow in Spain.
“En-Nesyri was a handful, a bit of a naughty boy,” revealed Wotte.
“He came from a rough area in the city of Fes, he was always looking for the edge.
“Playing the Under-21s in Italy, he had a big fight with our captain because he didn’t give him the ball. He was an angry young man.
“But he was unbelievably powerful and very crazy about football.
“At that time, his heading was already fantastic. “Now he’s top striker for Sevilla, he matured. He’s a winner, a fighter.” Few are as combative, though, as Sofyan Amrabat. The Dutch-born ace was a toddler when Wotte managed his local club. Now Wotte is convinced he’s bound for a mid-season move to an elite English outfit. “Amrabat was mature and, after a couple of games, he was promoted away from my Under-23s,” he said. “We had a special connection because I coached Utrecht when he was a small boy and he went on to play for them. So he really enjoyed that I was working for Morocco. We still share some messages now. Moves to Feyenoord and Club Brugge didn’t really succeed but Italy became the place his qualities were appreciated. He’ll never let you down.
“He’s powerful, calm, composed with a super mentality. He’s a warrior who I’m sure will be in the Premier League very soon.
“I had calls from important people in the UK asking about him in August when the price was £25million from Fiorentina – now he’s worth double that.
“The teams that were interested but didn’t move might regret this a little bit now!”
Noussair Mazraoui is another former Wotte player operating at the top of the European game.
Wotte coaxed the Bayern Munich full-back into lining up for Morocco. “He played for Ajax Under-19s but wasn’t on the radar of the young Dutch teams,” added Wotte.
“His father was a very proud Moroccan and wanted his son to play for them. But the boy wasn’t sure about going to certain places in Africa – he’d never been before.
“I selected him for the Under-20s and, after his first trip to Gambia, he knew that it would be alright.
“Like many young Moroccans he was a late physical developer but technically he was very clever. “Azzedine Ounahi was a similar story. At 18, people thought he wasn’t good enough. “I recognised qualities. He was always on the move – and box to box he was comfortable on the ball. OK, he was thin. But in Holland we appreciate more the tactical and technical quality.
“There’s Ilias Chair, the No.10 at QPR. He couldn’t get into Lierse Under-21s because he was small but I selected him every time.
“Achraf Dari was the youngest of mine. I put him in the Under-23s and told him, ‘You’re my Matthijs de Ligt’. He’s not stopped improving.
“Achraf Hakimi was a bit more obvious! He was only with my team a couple of times because he was so good.”
Wotte says binning Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic in August has proved inspired.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation acted after he fell out with players – including Mazraoui and Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, who both refused to play for him.
Wotte said: “The president sacked him because he didn’t want to build bridges – with players who are now World Cup semifinalists! What a very wise decision. There was often a bit of a clash between local players and those born or playing abroad.
“When the national team lost, it was said local players play with heart and claimed the others play for money.
“You see, though, that everyone plays for the shirt, for the king, for his father or mother born in Morocco. That gives them a lot of power.
“Walid is an exceptional coach. His team, FUS Rabat, had an excellent academy.
“Every weekend, I watched young teams play at their facility and spoke with him many times.
“He’s done fantastic to build a solid, strong team with amazing spirit.
“Moroccan players always have great individual skill.
“The wise decision was defensive tactics, not giving away space.
“Only one goal against them – and it was an own goal. What a story.”
En-Nesyri was a handful. He was always looking for the edge MARK WOTTE HAILS MOROCCAN HITMAN