PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Khalid Boutaib - Moroccan striker eager to prove a point in Russia

Khalid Boutaib of Morocco

Friday Nov 17, 2017. 10:00

Having successfully booked their place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Morocco are desperate to prove their worth in Russia according to star forward Khalid Boutaib.

The Atlas Lions enjoyed an almost flawless qualifying campaign, having gone all six games without conceding a goal. They run included three wins and three draws, but the North African's truly flexed their muscles with a 2-0 win over the Ivory Coast in Abidjan.

Victory over the defending African Cup of Nations holders booked their place at the world showpiece for the first time in 20 years, having last featured at a World Cup in 1998.

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"We will do our best in the upcoming World Cup," Boutaib told France Football.

"We have to prove our worth in Russia. The players will not head there to make tourism but to prove that we deserve to be in Russia," he concluded.

The Turkey-based striker played an integral part in Morocco reaching the world showpiece, netting four goals in four games, including a hat-trick in a 3-0 thumping of Gabon in Casablanca.