Interview with Moroccan footballer Abderrahim Chkilit

2006-05-16

Abderrahim Chkilit talks about adjusting to his new Raja Casablanca club, why he thinks his former club Maghreb Fassi underachieves and being a footballer's son.

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Abderrahim Chkilit, a 29-year-old former football player for Maghreb Fassi (MAS), talks to Magharebia about his role as a defender and other experiences as part of Raja Casablanca .

Magharebia: You used to be a sweeper for MAS, but for Raja you play defence. Has this caused any problems?

Abderrahim Chkilit: I have no problems with the tactics put forward by my coach Oscar Fullone. Sometimes, I play defence in a 2-4-4 formation and sometimes 2-5-3. But in either case, self-control and adaptability are essential. Each match is different.

The coach is the only one who can decide on the right strategy to use. The player's role is to master the position he's been given, so that goals can be scored and the match can be won.

Magharebia: Your transfer to the Raja team was criticised. Have you really managed to fit in?

Chkilit: I've had no trouble fitting in, because the team's very well organised. And I thank the players for that. They've helped me, and what's more, they're ready to help anyone coming from another club.

On Raja, there's no difference between a player from Morocco or from anywhere else. Everyone plays for the green shirts and we put in the effort needed to strengthen the club's image and to pull off greater achievements. I'd also like to say how much my fans have supported and encouraged me. I hope I haven't let them down.

I'm really happy to wear the green, and I'm advancing within my new team, which is very important for a new player like me.

Magharebia: You preferred playing for Raja rather than for Saudi Arabia. Why is that?

Chkilit: That's right. I got a very attractive offer from a Saudi team just before my transfer. But, I decided I would rather join Raja and realise my dream of playing for a major national side, which will allow me to play in major national and international competitions.

I want to see myself as one of those players who contribute to the team's success.

Magharebia: Is there another reason behind your decision to join Raja?

Chkilit: My father had something to do with it too. He himself had played for MAS and he knew that it was time for me to play for a major side like Raja. MAS has really great qualities, which make it a major national team. However, the internal problems affecting the club are often an obstacle to players' advancement.

Magharebia: Ismael Koha is a former MAS player who plays for Raja with you. How do you get along with him?

Chkilit: Ismael's much more than just a teammate, he's a brother to me. We grew up together. We've played together in several matches and communication between us is constant and strong. I just have to look at him for him to know what I want, and vice-versa.

Magharebia: Is it true that several of the players on the Wydad and Raja teams are former MAS players?

Chkilit: No, not at all. There are other players who left the MAS team to join Tangier teams like Maghraoui, or there's Allaoui, who plays for FAR in Rabat.

Magharebia: MAS is in second place. Why do you think that is?

Chkilit: MAS's players are young and very competent. But the real obstacle which often stands in the way of these players is the destructive role played by certain officials who are not qualified to manage a football team.

Instead of motivating the players, these officials subject the players to continual stress, which prevents them from focusing. This explains the unforgivable mistakes made by MAS during recent matches.

In my opinion, MAS deserves to be in first place, rather than second. It's a great professional team with superb players, coming from a great city like Fez, which deserves better things at the footballing level.

Magharebia: As an ex-football player, does your father criticise you sometimes?

Chkilit: My father follows all the matches I play. I also talked to him a lot before joining Raja and I still do. But he never tells me how to play, because there's a huge difference between football as it used to be and football as it is now. The football my father played was based more on technical and physical qualifications, but having said that, I'm still very lucky to be a footballer's son.