PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Khalid Boutaib - Moroccan finds elusive goal in losing cause

by Bertin Basson

Friday Dec 15, 2017. 10:00

Khalid Boutaib scored for the first time in six matches, but it was not enough to guide Yeni Malatyaspor back on track in Turkey's top-flight.

The Süper Lig outfit are currently on a seven game winless run across all competitions, with a 3-2 defeat to Göztepe followed by a 1-1 draw to Osmanlıspor as they excited the Turkish Cup on aggregate.

Boutaib has bagged seven goals in 14 appearances, maintaining his strike rate with a goal in every second match, but Malatyaspor will be hoping that he can up the ante as they aim to move clear of the relegation zone.

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The 30-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough year for the Atlas Lions - notably netting a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Gabon as Morocco sealed their return to the world stage.

The North African's have been drawn alongside Iran, Portugal and Spain in Group B for the 2018 FIFA World Cup set to be hosted in Russia.

Yeni Malatyaspor next host league leaders Galatasaray on Sunday.