World Cup: like Pierre Sage, Mohamed Ouahbi waited for his moment to shine | OneFootball

Mohamed Ouahbi, like Pierre Sage, rose from youth development and has seized his moment, Morocco into a World Cup quarter-final with France after beating Canada 3-0. According to L'Équipe, the result validates the project he began after the 2026 AFCON.

Inside the camp, he is praised for calm authority and clear selections despite injuries to Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli. He has not complained, and half-time tweaks have repeatedly shifted games, though he credits his staff.

Aged 49, he is new to the elite aside from assistant spells at Anderlecht in 2015-2016 and at Al-Fateh for six months in 2021-2022. His educator’s profile convinced federation president Fouzi Lekjaa to give him the U20s in March 2022, and a 2025 U20 World Cup win led to replacing Walid Regragui, Qatar 2022’s semi-final coach.

Those close to him see an ultra-passionate, humble figure. Liberia coach Mohammed Adil Erradi spoke of emotion at his rise.

Born in Belgium, he bridges cultures and added Anderlecht’s winning habits. Erradi describes a coach who reflects and anticipates, unafraid to omit Youssef En-Nesyri or Sofiane Boufal and to promote U20s.

Under pressure, Erradi says, he forged a side in three months with precise patterns and adjusted roles, while Ferrera recognises the same intensity seen with the U20s.

Shifting from academy craft to the pro game, he has embraced big-match tactics and man-management. Rami portrays a courteous exterior with steel. Friends call him El Professor, and he now hopes to trouble France.

Source: L'Équipe