Ziyech`s decision that embarrassed Van Basten

CAIRO – 12 November 2017: In January 2017, Herve Renard, Morocco National Team`s coach, surprised everyone by not including Hakim Ziyech in his squad that played African Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The 24-years-old, who was born in Dronten, Netherlands, started his career with Heerenveen club and then he joined FC Twente, where he scored 34 goals in 76 games in the Dutch League.

Ziyche's starring with Heerenveen and Twente made him one of the names the Dutch coach at the time might consider, Danny Blind, but the recall did not take place as Netherlands suffered from failing to qualify for the 2016 Euro.

Ziyech was one of the best players in Netherlands as he played with Netherlands youth team; but, in September 2015, he surprised Netherlands team as he chose to play with his mother country, Morocco.

Marco Van Basten was an assistant coach at Netherlands national team when Ziyech made the choice for Morocco instead of the Netherlands and he used Herve Renard`s excluding the young player and spoke to the press.

“A shame that he did not have the patience,” Van Basten told Fox sports at that time. “He then made the choice to play for Morocco, but it was our greatest right not to select him in that period.”

Van Basten, who responded strongly in March during a press conference, puts the ball at Ziyech himself. “Why had he not waited a moment, then he could now play for the Netherlands,” Basten continued. “He was the perfect player for the Netherlands. His market value as an International player for the Netherlands could have been much higher.”

“We have been in touch with him while he was determined to play for Morocco and said, ‘Yes I want to play for Morocco.’ Danny had also talked to him. I was sorry that he could not wait.” He added.

But everything has turned upside down later as Renard included Ziyech in his squad that qualified to the World Cup. He featured in many important matches against Mali, Gabon and Cote d`Ivoire, which helped the Moroccan team to qualify after an absence since 1998.

At the same time, Netherlands failed to qualify for the World Cup as they were placed third in their group.