Abdessalam Benjelloun
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| Abdessalam Benjelloun | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Abdessalam Benjelloun | |
| Date of birth | January 28, 1985 | |
| Place of birth | Fez, Morocco | |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | |
| Playing position | Striker | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Hibernian | |
| Number | 10 | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
2003-2006 2006-present |
Wydad de Fes Maghreb Fez Hibernian |
53 (8) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2004-2008 2008 |
Morocco U23 Morocco |
6 (3) 3 (3) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Abdessalam Benjelloun (born 28 January 1985 in Fez, Morocco) is a Moroccan footballer, currently playing for Scottish Premier League club Hibernian. He plays at the international level for Morocco.
Benjelloun trained with Hibs for many weeks during the early part of 2006, while Hibs assessed whether to sign him from his hometown club Maghreb Fez. Hibs then had to undertake the complex process of obtaining the documentation needed to sign him. During this time, rumours grew on Hibs-related internet sites that Hibs had unearthed a major talent, so expectations were high when Benjelloun's signing was formally announced in March 2006.[1]
He made his debut for Hibernian in the 2006 Scottish Cup semi-final loss to local rivals Hearts on April 2, 2006.[2] Manager Tony Mowbray was forced to play Benjelloun in that game because of injury (Chris Killen), suspension (Derek Riordan), cup transfer rules (Paul Dalglish) and the sale of Garry O'Connor.
Benjelloun demonstrated his potential in the Edinburgh derby on 22 April 2006, when he came off the bench to score the winning goal. 'Benji' became an instant hero with the Hibernian supporters, although his goal celebration caused some controversy.[3] He ran wildly towards the Hearts supporters, having scored the goal at the other end of the ground. Fortunately the Hibs goalkeeper, Zibi Malkowski, managed to prevent Benji from reaching the Hearts supporters, or a major incident could have ensued.
A fellow Moroccan, Merouane Zemmama, was signed by Hibs at the start of the 2006-07 season. It was thought that this should help Benji to settle into Scottish football, and he rewarded Hibs with two goals in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final victory against Kilmarnock.[4]
Benjelloun was expected to feature prominently during the 2007-08 season, but has suffered a season plagued by injuries, scoring only one goal in competitive matches. One positive note for Benji during the 2007-08 season was his selection by Morocco. He scored on his international debut against Belgium in Brussels[5] which caused Belgian club Anderlecht to be interested into signing him.[6] He was also selected for the World Cup qualifiers at the end of the season. Benjelloun scored in the first two qualifiers against Ethiopia[7] and Mauritania.[8]
[edit] International goals
- Scores and results list Morocco's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 26, 2008 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels | .svg/22px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
4–1 | 4–1 | Friendly |
| 2 | May 31, 2008 | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca |  Ethiopia |
1–0 | 3–0 | WCQG8 |
| 3 | June 7, 2008 | Stade Olympique, Nouakchott |  Mauritania |
2–0 | 4–1 | WCQG8 |
[edit] Notes
- ^ Hibs Sign Abdessalam Benjelloun www.hibernian-mad.co.uk, March 17, 2006
- ^ Hibernian 0-4 Hearts BBC Sport, April 2, 2006
- ^ Mowbray will chastise goalscorer BBC Sport, April 22, 2006
- ^ Kilmarnock 1 Hibernian 5: Collins proclaims cup success at last The Independent, March 19, 2007
- ^ Morocco beat Belgium 4–1 in international friendly International Herald Tribune, March 26, 2008
- ^ "Anderlecht is observing a Moroccan playing in Scotland", sporza.be, 2008-06-07. (dutch)
- ^ Morocco, Rwanda win in Group 8, BBC Sport, May 31, 2008
- ^ Morocco brush aside Mauritania, BBC Sport, June 7, 2008
[edit] External links
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