Morocco can still qualify for World Cup: Kharja

Born in France, Houssine Kharja is one of those many talented Moroccan footballers who plied his trade in the top European leagues. He has played in high-profile clubs like Inter Milan and Fiorentina and no wonder the 29-year-old Moroccan national team captain is considered as one of the finest midfielders in African football today.

Pushing 30, Kharja still has a lot of football left in him. That’s the first impression you get when you speak to this strongly-built attacking midfielder.

This season, Qatar’s Al Arabi has signed him from Fiorentina and he is enjoying bit of his football in the Gulf.

At the London Olympics in July-August, Kharja led Morocco but felt that the team had potential and strength to qualify for the final round. In fact, the national team’s performance at the Olympics ‘surprised’ him.

The side, boasting of quality players, crashed out in the first round itself, finishing last in a group which had Japan, Honduras and Spain.

“We went to London with a lot of hope. But the team played without a striker and that was the biggest problem for us,” he said.

“Just five days before the OIympics, our Dutch coach Pim Verbeek told us he won’t use a striker. It was a gamble which didn’t click. We can’t imitate the Spanish style. We should’ve played our natural game,” said the France-born player, who started his youth career with Paris Saint-Germain before making a name for himself in Serie A.

The debacle in the Olympics has made him more determined and now he looks forward to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

“I’ve never had the chance to play at the World Cup or to win the Africa Cup of Nations. I’ve strong ambitions with my national team.”

But Kharja is confident that Morocco can still qualify for the World Cup in Brazil.

In Morocco’s second round of qualifiers, Kharja scored against Gambia, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and against Ivory Coast, which finished 2-2, in Group C.

“We’re still in the race. The next game, in Tanzania, is in March, which will give us enough time to ensure that some of the injured players who missed the game against Ivory Coast are back,” he said.

However, Kharja is aware that beating Ivory Coast in their away fixture next year is a big ask.

“They’re the No.1 in Africa and are a very strong team,” he said.