Anderlecht Duo Aim for Immediate First-team Impact Following U-20 World Cup Success
Brussels, belgium - Two recent world champions within Anderlecht’s youth system, Ali Maamar and Anas Tajaouart, are aggressively targeting starting roles in the first team following their triumph with Morocco at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The pair’s ambition signals a potential influx of young talent into the Purple & White’s lineup as the club navigates a challenging season, currently sitting third in the Belgian league standings.
Anderlecht has recognized a growing strength in its Neerpede academy, with midfielder Nathan De Cat already establishing himself as a key player. Maamar and Tajaouart’s World Cup victory, under the guidance of former Anderlecht youth coach Mo Ouahbi, further underscores the potential within the club’s developmental system. This success raises the question of how quickly these promising players can translate their international achievements into consistent contributions for the first team.
Maamar, competing with Sardella and Camara for a midfield position, is resolute in his desire to remain with the senior squad. “I’m ready to play,” he stated in an interview with The last Hour.”I’m not thinking about returning to the Futures or going on loan. My ambition is to play in the first team. I have already shown great things there. I want to make it tough for the coach.”
Tajaouart, who has made only two appearances for the first team and primarily features for the futures squad, shares a similar determination. “I want to get as many playing minutes as possible,” he said. ”I really want to take the step to the first team,get minutes,gain the trainer’s trust and - why not - become a manager at Anderlecht.” He acknowledges comparisons to fellow U-23 captain Théo leoni, but aims for a quicker path to regular playing time. “People sometimes compare my career with that of Théo Leoni as we were both captain of the U23s, but I want to break through faster than he did.”