Tarik Tissoudali, the Lion roars again
Tarik Tissoudali is back in top form. Seriously injured last season, the Moroccan is rediscovering his touch this season
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On Sunday 03 December, Tarik Tissoudali earned Gent a point with a 2-2 draw away at Genk. The Moroccan forward scored twice, including the equaliser in the 99th minute. Gent are now third (29 pts), 9 points behind leaders Union Saint-Gilloise.
Last season, Tarik Tissoudali was handed a poisoned chalice with the arrival of Gift Orban. The Nigerian racked up goals by the bucketful, while the Moroccan was left champing at the bit on the bench. That said, it should be pointed out that Tissoudali was returning from a cruciate ligament rupture that ruled him out of the 2022 World Cup with Morocco. So, on his return, he made only 5 starts in 15 appearances in all competitions, for 2 goals and 1 assist. Tissoudali's numbers are, however, completely different in 2023-2024. In 20 games in all competitions (11 starts), the 30-year-old goalscorer has already netted 9 times and provided 4 assists. That does not include his 2 goals and 2 assists in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Getting ready for the AFCON
His start to the season has another positive: his return to the national team. He was one of the first names on the team sheet in 2021-2022, when he was on fire with 24 goals and 6 assists in 46 games. What's more, if Morocco were able to play at the 2022 World Cup, they largely have Tarik Tissoudali to thank. The forward scored in both legs of the play-off against DR Congo. First in Kinshasa to secure the draw, then a goal and an assist in the 4-1 home win, which sealed a ticket to Qatar.
With his serious injury and poor form on his return working against him, Tarik Tissoudali took a while to make his way back into the Atlas Lions' den. Even so, Walid Regragui called him up in October 2023 and brought him on as a substitute against Liberia. And with the AFCON 2023 starting on 13 January, the back-up spot to Youssef En-Nesyri is up for grabs. It is up to him to keep this form going, and the adventure in Ivory Coast will include him.
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