Abdessalam Benjelloun
Encyclopedia
Abdessalam Benjelloun is a Moroccan
footballer, who currently plays for Wydad de Fes.
Benjelloun, who is also known as Benji, has represented the Morocco national football team
. He started his career in his native Morocco, before moving to Scottish Premier League
club Hibernian
in 2006. Benjelloun had some success at Hibs, scoring twice in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final
win, but was twice loaned to Belgian
clubs afterwards before being released at the end of his contract in 2010. Benjelloun then signed for Egyptian Premier League
club Ismaily SC
, but returned to his native Morocco in January 2011.
for several 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.
He made his debut for Hibernian in the 2006 Scottish Cup
semi-final loss to local rivals
Hearts
on 2 April 2006. 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. He ran wildly towards the Hearts supporters, having scored the goal at the other end of the ground. Fortunately the Hibs goalkeeper, Zibi Małkowski, 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
. Benjelloun was then expected to feature prominently during the 2007–08 season, but he suffered a season plagued by injuries, scoring only one goal in competitive matches. He was the subject of interest from Belgian
clubs. Anderlecht
were reported to be watching him and Westerlo
had an offer rejected in July 2008.
After Benjelloun completed two loan spells during the 2008–09 season, new Hibernian manager John Hughes claimed that Benjelloun still had a future at the club. On 20 July 2009, Egyptian Premier League
club Al-Ahly claimed that they had signed Benjelloun on a three year contract, but the deal was cancelled days later. Benjelloun eventually returned to training with Hibs in early August, and he scored the winning goal in their first game of the 2009–10 season. He held down a regular place in the side playing as a second striker during the next few months, but struggled for first team action after this and was released at the end of the season. At the last game of the season, Benji was shown to be in tears, perhaps anticipating his release.
in August 2008 on a season long loan, with the Belgian side having the option to purchase the player outright. The deal was confirmed that day on the official site of Charleroi
, with Benjelloun pictured in his new side's colours. Despite scoring on his debut against Roeselare
, Benji failed to hold down a regular spot and made only 8 appearances during his loan spell. The Scotsman
newspaper reported on 2 January 2009 that Benjelloun had "endured" a difficult spell in Belgium due to injuries. Charleroi decided not to exercise their option to sign Benjelloun, which meant that he returned to Hibs. Benjelloun later commented that he had experienced personal problems during his time with Charleroi.
club, Roeselare
, until the end of the season. Benjelloun scored five goals in the first five of Roselare's last six matches as they retained their league status in relegation play-offs. He was withdrawn injured in their penultimate match and missed their final match.
. He did not complete the move, however, with the club claiming that Benjelloun had demanded too much money. Soon afterwards, Benjelloun signed for Egyptian Premier League
club Ismaily SC
. He made only seven appearances before leaving the club in January 2011.
. He scored on his international debut against Belgium in Brussels
. He was also selected for the World Cup
qualifiers
at the end of the season, and he scored in the first two qualifiers against Ethiopia
and Mauritania
.
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
footballer, who currently plays for Wydad de Fes.
Benjelloun, who is also known as Benji, has represented the Morocco national football team
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
. He started his career in his native Morocco, before moving to Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 2006. Benjelloun had some success at Hibs, scoring twice in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final
2007 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2007 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 18 March 2007 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the 60th Scottish League Cup Final. The final was contested by Kilmarnock and Hibernian, who had never met before in a Cup Final...
win, but was twice loaned to Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
clubs afterwards before being released at the end of his contract in 2010. Benjelloun then signed for Egyptian Premier League
Egyptian Premier League
The Egyptian Premier League is an Egyptian professional league for football clubs and represents the top flight of Egyptian football. The championship consists of nineteen competing teams in a home and away league system. It is currently known as the Etisalat Egyptian Premier League, after the...
club Ismaily SC
Ismaily SC
The Ismaily Sporting Club is a club, established in 1924 as Nahda Sporting Club, based in Ismaïlia, Egypt. The club is best known for its football team....
, but returned to his native Morocco in January 2011.
Hibernian
Benjelloun trained with HibsHibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
for several weeks during the early part of 2006, while Hibs assessed whether to sign him from his hometown club Maghreb Fez
Maghreb Fez
Maghreb Association Sportive of Fez is a Moroccan football club based in Fez.The club was founded in 1945.-History:The team was the first team from Morocco to reach the Last 32 in the Coupe de France in 1954 against Red Star.-Supporters:...
. 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.
He made his debut for Hibernian in the 2006 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
semi-final loss to local rivals
Edinburgh derby
The Edinburgh derby is an informal title given to any football match played between Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian , the two professional clubs based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry that dates back to the clubs being founded in the mid-1870s, which...
Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
on 2 April 2006. Manager
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray
Anthony Mark "Tony" Mowbray is an English former professional football player, who is currently the manager of Middlesbrough...
was forced to play Benjelloun in that game because of injury (Chris Killen
Chris Killen
Christopher John "Chris" Killen is a New Zealand international footballer who plays as a striker for Chinese Super League club Shenzhen Ruby. Killen grew up in Wellington and played his club football for Miramar Rangers. After a trial with Manchester City, he joined City's youth academy...
), suspension (Derek Riordan
Derek Riordan
Derek George Riordan is a Scottish footballer who plays as a forward. He has been capped three times by the Scotland national football team. Riordan started his career with Hibernian in 2001 and had a brief spell on loan with Cowdenbeath in 2003...
), cup transfer rules (Paul Dalglish
Paul Dalglish
Paul Kenneth Dalglish is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.-Playing career:Dalglish, son of former Scotland international Kenny Dalglish, was born in Glasgow though spent his childhood in Liverpool where his father managed Liverpool F.C...
) and the sale of Garry O'Connor
Garry O'Connor
Garry Lawrence John O'Connor is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays for Hibernian. He has also played for the Scotland international team....
.
Benjelloun demonstrated his potential in the Edinburgh derby
Edinburgh derby
The Edinburgh derby is an informal title given to any football match played between Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian , the two professional clubs based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry that dates back to the clubs being founded in the mid-1870s, which...
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. He ran wildly towards the Hearts supporters, having scored the goal at the other end of the ground. Fortunately the Hibs goalkeeper, Zibi Małkowski, managed to prevent Benji from reaching the Hearts supporters, or a major incident could have ensued.
A fellow Moroccan, Merouane Zemmama
Merouane Zemmama
Merouane Zemmama is a Moroccan football player who currently plays for English Championship club Middlesbrough. Zemmama represented Morocco at the 2004 Summer Olympics and was first capped at full international level in 2008....
, 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
2007 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2007 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 18 March 2007 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the 60th Scottish League Cup Final. The final was contested by Kilmarnock and Hibernian, who had never met before in a Cup Final...
victory against Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
. Benjelloun was then expected to feature prominently during the 2007–08 season, but he suffered a season plagued by injuries, scoring only one goal in competitive matches. He was the subject of interest from Belgian
Jupiler League
The Belgian Pro League is the top league competition for association football clubs in Belgium. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Belgian Second Division...
clubs. Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
were reported to be watching him and Westerlo
K.V.C. Westerlo
Koninklijke Voetbal Club Westerlo is a Belgian professional football club located in the city of Westerlo in the province of Antwerp. Westerlo has been playing in the Belgian Pro League since 1997–98. Their highest finish is a 6th place in 1999–2000, 2003–04 and 2008–09. They have won 1 Belgian...
had an offer rejected in July 2008.
After Benjelloun completed two loan spells during the 2008–09 season, new Hibernian manager John Hughes claimed that Benjelloun still had a future at the club. On 20 July 2009, Egyptian Premier League
Egyptian Premier League
The Egyptian Premier League is an Egyptian professional league for football clubs and represents the top flight of Egyptian football. The championship consists of nineteen competing teams in a home and away league system. It is currently known as the Etisalat Egyptian Premier League, after the...
club Al-Ahly claimed that they had signed Benjelloun on a three year contract, but the deal was cancelled days later. Benjelloun eventually returned to training with Hibs in early August, and he scored the winning goal in their first game of the 2009–10 season. He held down a regular place in the side playing as a second striker during the next few months, but struggled for first team action after this and was released at the end of the season. At the last game of the season, Benji was shown to be in tears, perhaps anticipating his release.
Charleroi
Hibs agreed to loan Benji to CharleroiR. Charleroi S.C.
Sporting du Pays de Charleroi is a Belgian football club based in the city of Charleroi, in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi plays in the Belgian Pro League and their current spell at the highest level in Belgian football has started in the 1985–86 season...
in August 2008 on a season long loan, with the Belgian side having the option to purchase the player outright. The deal was confirmed that day on the official site of Charleroi
R. Charleroi S.C.
Sporting du Pays de Charleroi is a Belgian football club based in the city of Charleroi, in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi plays in the Belgian Pro League and their current spell at the highest level in Belgian football has started in the 1985–86 season...
, with Benjelloun pictured in his new side's colours. Despite scoring on his debut against Roeselare
K.S.V. Roeselare
K.S.V. Roeselare is a Belgian football club, from the city of Roeselare in West Flanders. Its matricule is the n°134. It has last played in the Belgian Pro League from 2005-06 to 2009-10...
, Benji failed to hold down a regular spot and made only 8 appearances during his loan spell. The Scotsman
The Scotsman
The Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
newspaper reported on 2 January 2009 that Benjelloun had "endured" a difficult spell in Belgium due to injuries. Charleroi decided not to exercise their option to sign Benjelloun, which meant that he returned to Hibs. Benjelloun later commented that he had experienced personal problems during his time with Charleroi.
Roeselare
Sharjah-based club Al Shaab reached an agreement in principle to sign Benjelloun, but could not conclude a deal with Hibs. Towards the end of the transfer window, Benjelloun signed on loan for another BelgianJupiler League
The Belgian Pro League is the top league competition for association football clubs in Belgium. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Belgian Second Division...
club, Roeselare
K.S.V. Roeselare
K.S.V. Roeselare is a Belgian football club, from the city of Roeselare in West Flanders. Its matricule is the n°134. It has last played in the Belgian Pro League from 2005-06 to 2009-10...
, until the end of the season. Benjelloun scored five goals in the first five of Roselare's last six matches as they retained their league status in relegation play-offs. He was withdrawn injured in their penultimate match and missed their final match.
Ismaily
After his release by Hibs in May 2010, Benjelloun agreed a two year contract with German second division club Greuther FürthSpVgg Greuther Fürth
SpVgg Greuther Fürth is a German association football club based in Fürth, Bavaria. The club was formed when the senior football side of newcomer Turn- und Sportverein Vestenbergsgreuth joined traditional club Spielvereinigung Fürth on 1 July 1996...
. He did not complete the move, however, with the club claiming that Benjelloun had demanded too much money. Soon afterwards, Benjelloun signed for Egyptian Premier League
Egyptian Premier League
The Egyptian Premier League is an Egyptian professional league for football clubs and represents the top flight of Egyptian football. The championship consists of nineteen competing teams in a home and away league system. It is currently known as the Etisalat Egyptian Premier League, after the...
club Ismaily SC
Ismaily SC
The Ismaily Sporting Club is a club, established in 1924 as Nahda Sporting Club, based in Ismaïlia, Egypt. The club is best known for its football team....
. He made only seven appearances before leaving the club in January 2011.
Return to Morocco
Benjelloun then had a short spell with Raja Casablanca. He signed for his first club Wydad de Fes, later in 2011.International career
One positive note for Benji during the 2007–08 season was his selection by MoroccoMorocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
. He scored on his international debut against Belgium in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. He was also selected for the World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
qualifiers
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
The Confederation of African Football section of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw teams compete for five berths in the final tournament in South Africa...
at the end of the season, and he scored in the first two qualifiers against Ethiopia
Ethiopia national football team
The Ethiopia national football team represents Ethiopia in association football and is controlled by the Ethiopian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Ethiopia...
and Mauritania
Mauritania national football team
The Mauritania national football team, nicknamed Mourabitounes, is the national team of Mauritania and is controlled by the Fédération de Foot-Ball de la Républic Islamique de Mauritanie and is a member of CAF. They have not qualified for the FIFA World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations...
.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 March 2008 | King Baudouin Stadium King Baudouin Stadium The King Baudouin Stadium is a sports ground in north-west Brussels, Belgium. It was inaugurated on 23 August 1930 as the Stade du Jubilé or Jubelstadion in the presence of Prince Leopold. It was built to embellish the Heysel plateau in view of the Brussels International Exposition... , Brussels Brussels Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union... (A) |
4–1 | 4–1 | Friendly | |
| 2 | 31 May 2008 | Stade Mohamed V Stade Mohamed V Stade Mohamed V is part of a big athletic complex situated in the heart of the city of Casablanca, Morocco, in the western part of Maarif district... , Casablanca Casablanca Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture... (H) |
1–0 | 3–0 | WCQG8 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - CAF Second Round This page provides the summaries of the CAF Second Round matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification and the 2010 African Cup of Nations. The 48 qualifiers were split into 12 groups of four in the draw held in Durban, South Africa on 25 November 2007... |
|
| 3 | 7 June 2008 | Stade Olympique Stade Olympique (Nouakchott) The Stade Olympique is a multi-purpose stadium in Nouakchott, Mauritania. It is used mostly for football matches. It also has an athletics track. The stadium has a capacity of about 40,000 people.-External links:* at * at... , Nouakchott Nouakchott -Government:The town was first divided into districts in 1973. First it was divided into four. From 1986, the city has been split into nine districts.* Arafat* Dar Naim* El Mina* Ksar* Riad* Sebkha* Tevragh-Zeina* Teyarett* Toujounine... (A) |
2–0 | 4–1 | WCQG8 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - CAF Second Round This page provides the summaries of the CAF Second Round matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification and the 2010 African Cup of Nations. The 48 qualifiers were split into 12 groups of four in the draw held in Durban, South Africa on 25 November 2007... |
|
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hibernian Hibernian F.C. Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts... |
2005–06 Scottish Premier League 2005-06 The 2005–06 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic, with a 17-point margin over their nearest challengers Hearts in the first season under the management of Gordon Strachan... |
5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 2006–07 Scottish Premier League 2006-07 The 2006–07 Scottish Premier League season was the ninth season of the Scottish Premier League. It began on July 29, 2006.The league champions, Celtic and runners-up, Rangers, qualified for the UEFA Champions League on the return of Walter Smith as manager following a brief and disastrous... |
33 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 14 | |
| 2007–08 Scottish Premier League 2007-08 The 2007–08 Scottish Premier League season was the tenth season of the Scottish Premier League. It began on 4 August 2007 and was originally due to end on 18 May 2008... |
15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | |
| Charleroi R. Charleroi S.C. Sporting du Pays de Charleroi is a Belgian football club based in the city of Charleroi, in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi plays in the Belgian Pro League and their current spell at the highest level in Belgian football has started in the 1985–86 season... (loan) |
2008–09 Belgian First Division 2008-09 The 2008–09 season of the Belgian First Division was the 106th season of top-tier football in Belgium. The regular season began on 16 August 2008 and ended on 16 May 2009... |
8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Roeselare K.S.V. Roeselare K.S.V. Roeselare is a Belgian football club, from the city of Roeselare in West Flanders. Its matricule is the n°134. It has last played in the Belgian Pro League from 2005-06 to 2009-10... (loan) |
2008–09 Belgian First Division 2008-09 The 2008–09 season of the Belgian First Division was the 106th season of top-tier football in Belgium. The regular season began on 16 August 2008 and ended on 16 May 2009... |
14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 6 |
| Hibernian Hibernian F.C. Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts... |
2009–10 | 28 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 4 |
| Total | 103 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 124 | 27 | |