Abdellah Ouazane demands more despite Ajax’s 6-1 Conference League win

Ajax teenager Abdellah Ouazane criticised his own performance after their emphatic 6-1 victory over FC Midtjylland in the Conference League on Thursday.

The 17-year-old forward provided the assist for Tolu Arokodare’s goal to make it 1-2, but said he was not satisfied with his overall display in Denmark. Ouazane has been described by Ronald de Boer as a potential future world star.

Coach Michel Sanchez said before the match that he had worked with Ouazane throughout the week to prepare him to start on the right against FC Midtjylland.

“I can play anywhere, today on the right,” Ouazane told Ziggo Sport after the game.

Despite Ajax’s convincing result, the Morocco international immediately focused on the areas where he believed he had fallen short.

“Honestly, I didn’t find my game convincing,” Ouazane said.

“I dropped back a lot today, even though I love attacking. After the sending-off, I had a few more opportunities, but I did not take them well enough. I could have done better, but the good goals are the result of collective work.”

Asked about his understanding with his team-mates, Ouazane added: “You can simply feel it.”

His assist for Arokodare was an important contribution, but the teenager said it was not enough to change his assessment of the match.

“It feels good in the moment. But if you look at the game in detail, there was a lot of room for improvement,” he said.

“That is how I analyse every match. If I think I played well, I say so. I believe I have always worked that way; it helps me a lot. I also know what I need to improve when I absolutely have to get myself out of a difficult situation. It is up to me to do that.”

Ouazane was also named this week as a candidate for the African Talent of the Year award. He was among the final three last year and has been nominated again alongside several established names.

“Last year, I was already among the three finalists and now I have been nominated again; I am alongside great names,” he said. “I hope this time will be the right one.”

Ouazane has also been selected for Morocco again.

“I will give everything on Sunday and I will let you know on Monday,” he said.

Former Netherlands international Wim Kieft was impressed by the player’s composure during the interview.

“He is completely comfortable in front of the camera; that is really impressive for a 17-year-old,” Kieft said. “And when you discover his personality… He expresses himself very well. It seems as if he has already given a hundred interviews.”

De Boer agreed with that assessment, saying: “I think he has the potential to become a world star if he stays fit. He is very mature for his age.”