Regragui: 'El Kaabi is an Example of Patience and Perseverance for Moroccan Youth'
Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan national team, spoke about the journey of player Ayoub El Kaabi and how he has become a role model for Moroccan youth.
Speaking at the press conference ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 match against Tanzania, Regragui said: "I was coaching FUS Rabat when El Kaabi was playing for Racing Casablanca. I genuinely wanted to sign him, but the president of RS Berkane secured him at the last minute. He made the right choice because, after that, El Kaabi scored, I believe, 20 goals in the league and was the top scorer in the CHAN tournament."
The national coach added: "His journey is extraordinary, and I believe he is the best example for Moroccan players in terms of patience and perseverance. He is someone who played in amateur leagues, even playing as a left-back at one point, before becoming a striker. I remember why I wanted to sign him: he scored two goals against my team in the Throne Cup, and I sensed raw talent in him. He is someone who has faced ups and downs but never gave up."
Regragui continued: "I did not call him up for the 2022 World Cup, even though he participated in the qualifiers. He didn't complain; instead, he worked diligently, returned to serious training, and made good decisions at club level. Today, he is a striker for the national team, and things are going very well for him. This proves that the hard work and patience he demonstrated reflect his humility."
He concluded: "As I mentioned before, if I wanted one word to describe Ayoub El Kaabi, it would be: humility. He knows where he came from, and he knows where he wants to go. He is an excellent person on a human level. When I didn't call him up for the World Cup, he didn't complain; instead, he said: 'Understood, coach, I will work to come back stronger,' and that's exactly what he did."
Regragui concluded his remarks by discussing the lessons Moroccan youth can learn: "For Moroccan youngsters who haven't had a clear path or joined training academies, the dream is achievable. When we can make children dream, we must appreciate players like him. Ayoub is one of those players that Moroccan youth dream of becoming, and I am very proud of him. Today, he is an ideal player."
