Latest news with #Laalaoui
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
CAF Applauds Moroccan Duo El Abdellaoui and Laalaoui Ahead of U20 AFCON Final
Rabat – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has praised Moroccan U20 national team players Jones El Abdellaoui and Reda Laalaoui, following Morocco's qualification for the final of the U20 AFCON. Ahead of Sunday's final between Morocco and South Africa in Cairo, CAF highlighted four standout players from both teams, singling out El Abdellaoui as a 'clinical striker' and Laalaoui as the 'midfield metronome.' 'El Abdellaoui's playing time isn't the highest, but his performance borders on exceptional,' CAF wrote on its website. 'He made a strong impact in the semi-final: coming on in the 64th minute against Egypt, he needed just a few moments to find the back of the net.' The confederation further noted, 'A decisive goal, a match rated 7.6, and a sense of calm in high-pressure moments. Jones El Abdellaoui is the type of player who doesn't flinch. His sense of goal and composure in front of the net could prove decisive.' CAF also showered praise on Reda Laalaoui, midfielder for FUS Rabat, highlighting his impressive maturity at just 20 years old. 'Laalaoui exudes remarkable maturity. Irreplaceable in midfield, he dictates the tempo, slows down or accelerates play as needed,' added the statement. 'His standout match? A marathon quarterfinal against Sierra Leone, going the full 120 minutes, earning a performance rating of 8.1. Calm, technically clean, and gifted with excellent passing, Laalaoui embodies balance and discipline—qualities that will be crucial in a final where every ball counts.' Morocco will face South Africa in the U20 AFCON final on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Moroccan time. Tags: afcon u20Morocco U20U20
Morocco World
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Botola Starlet Reda Laalaoui Set to Join English Football
Hull City are on the verge of completing the signing of Moroccan youngster Reda Laalaoui, in what would be a landmark transfer for both the Championship side and Moroccan football. The 20-year-old midfielder, currently plying his trade at FUS Rabat and featuring for Morocco's U20 national side, is expected to put pen to paper in the coming days. Reports suggest the Tigers have fended off interest from clubs in Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands to secure his signature. Should the deal go through, Laalaoui would become the first player to make a direct switch from Morocco's league to English football in over two decades. The last to do so was Youssef Safri, who swapped Raja Casablanca for Coventry City in 2002. In Botola Pro, Laalaoui has featured in 23 games for FUS Rabat this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists. Laalaoui is now on international duty with Morocco's U20s at the AFCON in Egypt. He found the net in a 3-2 win over Kenya, started in the goalless draw with Nigeria, and was given a breather in the final group game against Tunisia. He then played the full 120 minutes in Morocco's hard-fought quarter-final victory over Sierra Leone. The win sends them into the semi-finals against hosts Egypt, and with it, a ticket to the U20 World Cup in Chile.
