Morocco's national team coach insists he won't be 'begging Hakim Ziyech to come back' despite their quarter-final exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Vahid Halilhodzic dumped the Chelsea winger from the Morocco set-up back in September after claiming Ziyech didn't want to train and wrongly claimed to be injured.
The 28-year-old was subsequently left out of Morocco's squad for the AFCON in Cameroon, a decision which came under scrutiny when Egypt beat them 2-1 on Sunday.
But Halilhodzic was unrepentant at leaving out a player who has 17 goals in 40 appearances for his national side.
'After the [AFCON] tournament three years ago, he was the most criticised,' Halilhodzic said.
'He was booed, you mustn't forget that. I don't select a player who can unbalance the group, not even if his name is Lionel Messi.
'Ziyech's behaviour does not fit the selection. He doesn't want to train, doesn't want to play. He doesn't take it seriously. I'm not going to beg him to come back.'
The coach also said: 'The players I selected are the best in the country. It was not the quality of the players, but the lack of opportunities.'
There certainly seems no immediate way back to international football for Ziyech yet Halilhodzic also lamented the lack of a 'killer' in his team to convert their chances after they lost after extra time in Yaounde.
Sofiane Boufal had handed them a seventh-minute lead from the penalty spot but Liverpool's Mohamed Salah equalised and Trezeguet scored Egypt's winner in extra time to set up a semi-final against Cameroon on Thursday night.
Morocco might have re-taken the lead in normal time and gone on to win but Egypt keeper Mohamed Abou Gabal made a flying save to tip Romain Saiss' header onto the crossbar.
Ziyech has continued to play for Chelsea while the tournament has been ongoing and scored in his club's 1-1 draw with Brighton and 2-0 win over Tottenham.
Back in September, Bosnian coach Halilhodzic said of Ziyech: 'He hasn't been disciplined in the last two sessions and has refrained from training.
'He didn't look like a player from a national team fighting to qualify for the World Cup.
'For the first time in my coaching career, I saw a national team player who doesn't want to train and claims to be injured, although tests have shown he can play. I won't tolerate it.'
Morocco will play DR Congo in a two-legged qualification play-off to reach Qatar 2022 at the end of March but Ziyech's hopes of playing in the World Cup remain distant.
wiwenortu
0
Hakim ziack pics
jubabcdiku
0
Who is inviting the players? Halilhodzic should invite Ziyech, He Ziyech cannot invite himself to the team but the coach.
Aurin
1
For me, KDB>Müller>Bruno> possibly30 other CAMs and then followed by Hakim Ziyech 😅
ok you are a responsible supporter of Chelsea having some sense good for you and your club fanbase👍
Andy_Mac
1
ya we knew and there you were comparing him with Muller , Kevin and Bruno when was signed now you accept the fact he is avg
For me, KDB>Müller>Bruno> possibly30 other CAMs and then followed by Hakim Ziyech 😅
Andy_Mac
0
ya we knew and there you were comparing him with Muller , Kevin and Bruno when was signed now you accept the fact he is avg
Also, Thomas Müller is a wonderful player in his own right but he's nowhere near as good as KDB. He might have achieved more because of playing at Bayern Munich but in terms of calibre, KDB is above him for sure. And we could see that when KDB was in the Bundesliga. He's currently the best attacking midfielder in the world when fit.
Andy_Mac
0
ya we knew and there you were comparing him with Muller , Kevin and Bruno when was signed now you accept the fact he is avg
Lol maybe a lot of dumb and deluded Chelsea fans compared him to Bruno and KDB. I wasn't one of them [Crylaugh] I don't hype up our players too soon before they've proved anything.
Aurin
0
Lol so you're blaming Chelsea as the reason why Ziyech isn't professional enough in the national team set up. You know how bad the player you're defending is when you start looking for external factors to blame and use as petty excuses. [Crylaugh] Just accept that Ziyech is overrated and his attitude for the Morocco team isn't the best.
ya we knew and there you were comparing him with Muller , Kevin and Bruno when was signed now you accept the fact he is avg
sipdeios
1
good football a
Andy_Mac
0
going to Chelsea was end of his glorious career .. He was called magician once upon a time now a team like Morocco(not even France) didn't want him
Lol so you're blaming Chelsea as the reason why Ziyech isn't professional enough in the national team set up. You know how bad the player you're defending is when you start looking for external factors to blame and use as petty excuses. [Crylaugh] Just accept that Ziyech is overrated and his attitude for the Morocco team isn't the best.
Andy_Mac
1
As an outsider we don’t really know what happened but egos should be kept aside when it comes to representing a nation. Both parties should have sorted it out, Ziyech has lost his chance to represent his nation at big stage. You won’t get such chances very often, hope it will be sorted out soon and he plays at WC.
Yeah we don't know the whole story. I won't defend Ziyech though because one thing we're absolutely certain about is that Ziyech posted an Instagram message with a clown emoji directed at his manager. For me, that's childish and unacceptable. Players cannot disrespect their manager like that and expect to be given a spot in the team. Now perhaps he's right to accuse his manager of lying or whatever but he didn't need to put the emoji.
Andy_Mac
1
Hakim Ziyech is the star in morroco national team so pardon him for behaving like it because he's the best 👌 Morroco without Hakim Ziyech is not lethal is not a threat and I have a feeling DR Congo will cause and upset and let's see if the Bosnian coach won't be fired! managers never win v star players. The next coach will call Ziyech right from the start watch out
If you're suggesting that players should be unprofessional, then clearly that's how you expect them to behave in a Chelsea shirt. If what the Moroccan manager is saying is true, and Ziyech is not training well and not showing the required levels of discipline, I will respect his decision. Maybe Ziyech is very disciplined at Chelsea, but he's not doing the same for Morocco. If that's the case, that's the manager's decision and you'll simply need to respect that. I don't care how big a player is at my club Chelsea. The moment they choose to stop showing the same levels of professionalism, then I will always support the manager over the player. And that goes for every player even if it's Mason Mount, Reece James, N'Golo Kanté, Édouard Mendy or any other player in that Chelsea squad I rate very highly. Discipline and professionalism should be a given with every player no matter how talented you are.
Mr_Lii
0
the coach should know that morocans need win and besides ziyech is not playing for him but playing for his country
how can you play for your country when you cannot convince your National coach
bihadlnruz
4
the coach should know that morocans need win and besides ziyech is not playing for him but playing for his country
bihadlnruz
2
then keep losing
rancklor
1
The coach has a point too respect his decision please
Dahaceinor
0
Hopefully they fire him soon!
Jasseh
0
mr coach pliz swallow your pride and call back your best player to the team otherwise you are going to be sacked before the world cup
I’m prideful but this is just being stupid he’s carrying his pride even tho the team is losing he finna get sacked
Beeabkmopy
2
He will go ziyech will stay
Chelseawealth
2
Me and my wizard whenever Morocco lose
Yokaeiktyz
1
man utd
Raddmuy
0
The statement of this coach is baseless.
Hiscenprst
0
mr coach pliz swallow your pride and call back your best player to the team otherwise you are going to be sacked before the world cup
Nisdoruy
2
as for Chelsea fans they are lose is our gain
Nisdoruy
0
going to Chelsea was end of his glorious career .. He was called magician once upon a time now a team like Morocco(not even France) didn't want him
auntie won the champions League your p**** shut the fuk up
Nisdoruy
0
that coach is still arrogant I hope they don't qualify for the world cup if he doesn't
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
Hakim Ziyech is the star in morroco national team so pardon him for behaving like it because he's the best 👌 Morroco without Hakim Ziyech is not lethal is not a threat and I have a feeling DR Congo will cause and upset and let's see if the Bosnian coach won't be fired! managers never win v star players. The next coach will call Ziyech right from the start watch out
sembiknrz
0
This coach is sick in d brain. He will join Man utd former coach Ole very soon
Walemoney
0
As an outsider we don’t really know what happened but egos should be kept aside when it comes to representing a nation. Both parties should have sorted it out, Ziyech has lost his chance to represent his nation at big stage. You won’t get such chances very often, hope it will be sorted out soon and he plays at WC.
I hope u know that he didt accept to play for holland and accepted to play for morocco for the love of is country
josilva877
0
the will kick you out of world cup qualifier
Jeucdmsy
0
it is bad when the coach,call you to play,then you refused,punishment should given to ziyech
I think you don't understand English, you just comment without reading the articles to understand the main details. Ziyech did not refused any call up okay, he had an issue with the national team coach during qualifying matches before the AFCON.
Vumeknopru
1
This coach is sick
Poealnotz
0
I smell sack
Vuzbdmnopu
0
Your country is Best thing ever......bigup 🇰🇪 I love my country & always proud....not sticking in club, you Stik looking for Cash..... just go back and add an effort
zahdkmnpu
0
going to Chelsea was end of his glorious career .. He was called magician once upon a time now a team like Morocco(not even France) didn't want him
stop saying rubbish
zunbimoprz
1
Ziyech please go back and qualify your country for Quata it will be a good thing to see you all there
MaddyKotagiri
1
As an outsider we don’t really know what happened but egos should be kept aside when it comes to representing a nation. Both parties should have sorted it out, Ziyech has lost his chance to represent his nation at big stage. You won’t get such chances very often, hope it will be sorted out soon and he plays at WC.
rezruz
0
Not Ziyech, Nobody is bigger then the team, except myself!! Who is Halilhodzic?
UncleDMG
3
You never called him, so just shut your mouth up, and don’t disturb his form.
Beautifulboy
5
The Morocco coach said “not even if his name is Lionel Messi” Why always Messi? Or is he trying to say something about the Goat debate?
wipnpstuy
0
if he looses his Job, the new coach would surely recall ziyech because he is the best they have got
how sure are you that the coach claims is right. have you forgotten that, last year or season ziyech obtain some injuries and need more time to settle down in chelsea squad
Resbcdlmpu
0
ziyechs quality might have been added into the attacking force of morocco only if the coach had told ziyech to stop being stubborn
Bauklnpty
2
I see this Coach being sacked soon.
vaecelmnpy
2
It's because of Him Ez Abde And Marzzaroui didn't Want to Take Part in AFCON He's The Croatian Version of Arteta
Mose_9
0
if he looses his Job, the new coach would surely recall ziyech because he is the best they have got
this is not a about the best player.....he was disrespectful
W0linhO
1
Ziyech, world cup man world cup, swallow ur bride play the World Cup thereafter. This things are what keep players motivated in their career, look at Ozil after he was asked by Germany. Never the same player, no ambition, career went down hill after.
wipnpstuy
3
if he looses his Job, the new coach would surely recall ziyech because he is the best they have got
Aurin
0
going to Chelsea was end of his glorious career .. He was called magician once upon a time now a team like Morocco(not even France) didn't want him
Meshackhorez
0
it is bad when the coach,call you to play,then you refused,punishment should given to ziyech
jmayd
2
They will sack you soon
elterrico
1
Ziyech waiting for Morocco coach to call him.