The next destination of our alphabetical world tour is Morocco. Former champions of Africa, Morocco have struggled to establish themselves among the African elite in recent years, despite reaching two consecutive World Cup Finals tournaments in the 1990s.
They qualified for the 2018 World Cup however, and with a cohort of players including Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech on the world stage, there are signs Morocco could be returning as a major player. 17 players have represented Morocco in the Premier League as of the league’s suspension in March 2020.
First Player – Hassan Kachloul (Southampton, Aston Villa, Wolves; 1998-2004)
Despite not travelling with Morocco to the 1998 World Cup, midfielder Hassan Kachloul joined Premier League side Southampton in October 1998. He became an instant hit as his endless running ability paired with an eye for goal enabled several impressive performances from the off.
After running down his contract at Southampton, Kachloul agreed to join Ipswich Town, who were preparing for their first season in Europe (not including the Anglo-Italian Cup) in nearly 30 years. He performed a stunning u-turn however and instead signed for rivals Aston Villa.
He struggled for game time at Villa Park, making no appearances in his final two seasons and just four during a loan spell at Wolves in 2003/04.
Records
- Most appearances – Hassan Kachloul (112)
- First appearance – Hassan Kachloul (Blackburn 0-2 SOUTHAMPTON, November 21st 1998)
- Most goals – Hassan Kachloul (16)
- First goal – Hassan Kachloul (SOUTHAMPTON 3-1 Wimbledon, December 19th 1998)
Current/Most Recent Players
Two Moroccans were on club books in the Premier League last season; Southampton’s Sofiane Boufal and Wolves’ Roman Saïss. Both enjoyed resurgent seasons at their respective clubs, Boufal impressing on occasion after spending 2018/19 out on loan, while Saïss already made more appearances than the last term before the suspension last season.
Elsewhere, Hakim Ziyech joined Chelsea this summer and will most likely become the 18th Moroccan to play in the Premier League.
Trivia
- Morocco are one of 32 current CAF nations to have appeared in the Premier League.
- Former Spurs defender Noureddine Naybet is the only Moroccan to have won 80 or more caps for his country, winning 115 caps over 16 years in the national side.
- Seven of the 17 players to have represented Morocco in the Premier League were born in either France or the Netherlands.
- 15 of the 17 Moroccans to have appeared in the Premier League have scored a goal, the highest ratio of any nation to have had more than three players (88.2%).
