Soufiane Benjdida’s meteoric rise despite criticism

Under fire from critics for several weeks, Soufiane Benjdida, the Moroccan striker from Standard, delivered an XXL performance on Friday against Dender (2-0), scoring a goal from a penalty and providing an assist.

The 23-year-old Moroccan international, who has gained the trust of Croatian coach Ivan Leko, proved decisive in Dender. “In a dominant team, he can finish off moves, he’s a real penalty area striker, you can’t give him two metres. In Genk, in a complicated match, he only had one chance, he took it (Editor’s note: the goal was ultimately disallowed). It’s proof that he has something,” declared Marc Wilmots, former Belgium coach, on the set of La Tribune two weeks ago.