Morocco's player to watch, rising star and a player that will be sorely missed at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
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Player to Watch: Younes Belhanda
Getafe's Abdelaziz Barrada and Mehdi Benatia, the sought-after Udinese defender with a knack for scoring goals, come into the reckoning. However, we would have been remiss not to chose Younes Belhanda. The midfielder was voted the UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year 2011-2012. He was one of the key players as Montpellier surprised many by winning the French Ligue 1 title last season. Without the mercurial Adel Taarabt who has been dropped from the final squad, the contribution of Belhanda will be even more important if Morocco are to progress in the competition. Look out for his trademark mohawk as he struts his stuff in the centre of the park. The 22-year-old will be tasked with supplying the ammunition to the strikers.
Rising Star: Oussama Assaidi
Oussama Assaidi started his career as a 17-year-old at Eredivisie side Almere City and has since represented De Graafschap where he played for just one season before moving to Heerenveen. It was here that he established himself as one for the future with some assured displays, particularly in wins against Willem II and then champions FC Twente - a game in which he scored the first hat-trick of his career as well as providing two assists and winning a penalty in a 6-2 victory. The youngster earned a move to Premier League side Liverpool in August 2012, but has yet to establish himself as a regular in the Reds' first team. A good AFCON 2013 will surely put him firmly in the Premier League sides' first-team plans for the remainder of the season.
Sorely Missed: Adel Taarabt
Adel Taarabt is a footballer with the ability to wow and frustrate in equal measure. The Queens Park Rangers attacker would have been hoping to use AFCON 2013 to finally showcase his full potential. He has spoken of his desire to play at the very top - Barcelona and Real Madrid just two of the clubs he has previously mentioned but was ultimately dropped from Morocco's final squad after failing to meet up with international boss Rachid Taoussi. He will undoubtedly rue missing out on the opportunity for a good showing at this year's African showpiece that would certainly have gone a long way to helping him get to the top.
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