Morocco have ace in Aguerd

Morocco

have ace

in Aguerd

By Mark Gleeson

As the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers get underway and Morocco also prepare for the World Cup with a friendly match in the USA, one name to keep an eye on is Nayef Aguerd.

Many others are already well aware of Aguerd, including a plethora of Premier League clubs, and it’s likely that he might be on his way to England in the next few weeks.

The 25-year-old central defender made a major impact in France’s Ligue 1 in 2020-21 and continued his solid performances at the back for Stade Rennes in this most recent campaign.

A product of the Mohamed VI academy in his home country, he missed out on a chance to sign for Valencia at 17 and later again at Malaga, but persevered and finally got his opportunity at Dijon.

At 1.90m he has a commanding presence and is at the top of his game in the air. At Rennes his technical ability also has been enhanced and has shone through.

He was still playing in Morocco when he won his first cap in 2016, but it’s only over the last two years that he has cemented his place in the national team.

Morocco follow their friendly in Cincinnati with a Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa in Rabat next week and another qualifier against Liberia in Casablanca.