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Fouzi Lekjaa Sets Sights on Brahim Diaz for Morocco's Olympic Dream
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing Morocco's prospects for success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), has publicly expressed his keen interest in securing the participation of the promising talent, Brahim Diaz, for the nation's Under-23 squad.
Lekjaa's ambitious vision came to light during an interview with the esteemed Spanish sports publication, Marca, where he emphatically stated, "We aspire to have Brahim Diaz represent us at the Paris Games." Diaz, aged 24, currently showcases his skills at the renowned Real Madrid club, rendering him eligible to be one of the three permitted overage players on each men's team at the Olympic Games.
However, realizing this ambition presents its share of challenges. Reports indicate that Real Madrid has been hesitant to release its players for Olympic duty, raising doubts about Diaz's eventual involvement in Morocco's Olympic campaign.
Renowned sports journalist José Félix Díaz shed light on this matter, revealing that the prestigious Spanish club has decided against allowing its players, who participate in either the European Championship or the Copa America, to also compete in the Paris Olympics. Díaz further emphasized the club's unwavering stance, indicating no intention to make exceptions, a policy already communicated to its players.
Despite these hurdles, a ray of hope remains for Morocco's Olympic aspirations. Diaz's eligibility remains intact despite his non-participation in the aforementioned tournaments. This favorable circumstance has injected optimism into Lekjaa and the national team's head coach, Walid Regragui, who have successfully persuaded the Malaga-born striker to commit to representing Morocco following extensive negotiations.
Diaz's dedication to the Moroccan cause will soon be on display in the upcoming friendly matches against Angola and Mauritania, scheduled for March 22 and 26, respectively.
The Moroccan Under-23 team finds itself placed in Group B for the Paris Olympics tournament, alongside formidable opponents such as Argentina, Ukraine, and an Asian nation yet to qualify. Africa's representation in this prestigious tournament will be further augmented by Egypt and Mali.
With anticipation mounting for the global sporting spectacle, Fouzi Lekjaa's unwavering determination to assemble a competitive Moroccan squad, led by the talent of Brahim Diaz, sets the stage for an exciting journey towards Olympic glory.