(Reuters) - A peace offering in an Amsterdam coffee shop proved a catalyst for Morocco's late rally to success in the World Cup qualifiers and their first appearance at the finals in 20 years since the 1998 tournament in France. Ziyech is among a bevy of talented midfielders who make the Moroccan side tick along with Mbark Boussoufa, also born in the Netherlands, and French-born Younes Belhanda. Morocco have dipped extensively in the Diaspora with players born to immigrant parents in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain strengthening the squad. Morocco’s federation actively pursues European-born players with potential, tugging at family loyalties and nationalistic sentiment. The flamboyant French coach signed a new deal on Tuesday as reward for engineering qualification as Morocco came from behind to usurp Ivory Coast, with whom Renard won the 2015 Nations Cup.

Source: The Star November 23, 2017 00:00 UTC