Raja de Casablanca secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup after a victory against Auckland City in the round of 16. The decisive moment came during added time with a second goal scored by Rajaoui, resulting in a 2-1 win.
After Auckland City equalized, the Moroccan club faced a moment of panic, and it was Kouko Gueli who played a crucial role in restoring calm within the team. Gueli, a 30-year-old Ivorian who has been with Raja for 4 and a half years, demonstrated leadership and maturity, motivating the team to stay focused and continue their game plan.
Reflecting on the match, Gueli mentioned, “After their equalizer with a completely stupid goal, we had to raise our heads as quickly as possible. That’s where I talked a lot, so that everyone could calm down. I knew we were going to score. We have not given up. We continued to practice our game, create chances and move the ball around.”
Being one of the most experienced players in the team and playing in midfield, Gueli sees motivating the team and being a leader as part of his role. Despite facing challenges, he maintains his desire to return to the national team and reunite with friends like Eboué.
“When they come to Abidjan, we always spend time together. We have mutual friends in the selection, like Max Gradel. They always tell me to keep working,” Gueli shared, expressing confidence that his time to return to the national team will come.
