Ligue 1: Saîf-Eddine Khaoui, or regained confidence
Saif-Eddine Khaoui with the Clermont jersey, August 21, 2022. AFP - JEFF PACHOUD
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
3 mins
Currently in 8th place in the French Championship, the surprising team of Clermont, which faces Brest, red lantern, on October 23 on behalf of the 12th day, has in its ranks the Tunisian international Saîf-Eddine Khaoui.
At 27, the playmaker, who is making the heyday of the Auvergne club, should fly to Qatar in a few weeks for his second World Cup after Russia in 2018.
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Since the start of the season, the former Marseille player has been performing well with the Auvergne club which he joined in the summer of 2021. Last season, the Paris native played 23 league games for a single goal.
Shelved by OM for several seasons, he is flourishing, as the big deadline for Qatar looms.
With 2 goals and 2 assists in 10 games since the start of the season, Saîf-Eddine Khaoui has regained confidence.
A stability that feels good
“
In training, I work hard.
I feel good.
The key ?
It's that I was able to do a complete preparation with the group and have a second season with the same club, it clearly affects my performance.
This stability makes me feel good.
It's a whole, I feel liberated
, ”explains the player to
L'Équipe
.
For the first time in his career, Saîf-Eddine Khaoui remains two seasons in a row at the same club.
With Marseille, he was preparing before being sent on loan (Caen, Troyes).
The one who explains having "
given everything
" for OM found himself on the sidelines when Rudi Garcia arrived.
He went from Ligue 1 to the CFA.
He had however thrilled Marseille supporters with a double against Nice in April 2021.
Anyone who admits to needing "
stability
" should have a happy winter with the World Cup.
Moreover, he keeps in mind the excitement of the meeting against Belgium in 2018, in Russia, in the locker room before kick-off.
With the Carthage Eagles, he will try to surprise in a group that includes Denmark, Australia and France, the reigning world champion.
Thwart the predictions at the World Cup
“
We are often underestimated, like during the last CAN.
We finally took out Nigeria in the round of 16
(1-0)
which everyone saw as the favourites.
At the World Cup, we are not expected like other selections.
And I think that position generally allows us to be more dangerous
,” he told
L’Équipe
.
And to add about the third meeting against the Blues.
It's going to be an amazing game.
I think we will be pushed by the public in Qatar.
If I have the chance to be at the World Cup and play this match, it would be something special.
I grew up in France, I live there, I play football there... The ties are strong for my family.
It is clearly a very important match for Tunisia.
We will do everything to win it.
It's a matter of pride.
We want to show a conquering Tunisia, capable of beating the best nations.
Believe me, there will be great determination on our side.
In 2002, Senegal had already done so (1-0 victory against France in the opening match).
We will try to thwart the predictions.
It's the last group match, we have to arrive with the possibility of playing this match as a final.
Trained at Tours FC, Saïf-Eddine Khaoui, who particularly stands out on set pieces, arrived in Marseille in 2016 with few references.
He had only 39 Ligue 2 games at the age of 21.
OM, which was going through a complicated economic period, had secured the services of Franco-Tunisians for a period of five years.
Now far from the Mediterranean, he dreams of a place in the sun.
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