Ajax secured their spot in the round of 16 of the KNVB Beker by overwhelming Excelsior Maassluis (2-7) in a spectacular match held in Rotterdam at Het Kasteel. During this prolific evening, one moment particularly caught the attention of Ajax fans: the official debut of 16-year-old Abdellah Ouazane with the first team.
Already a Moroccan U17 international, the young midfielder took a symbolic step by coming on in the second half of a match largely controlled by Ajax. For the club, this is an additional sign of confidence in a rising talent who is expected to carve out a place in the rotation as the season progresses.
However, the true game-changer of the match was Rayane Bounida. The player of Moroccan descent lit up the game with his technical precision and influence in the final third. Frequently decisive, he racked up key passes before scoring a goal, confirming his status as a talent to watch closely in Amsterdam.
With qualification secured, Ajax continues its cup journey and maintains a positive momentum, with a generation already knocking on the door. Between Ouazane’s emergence and Bounida’s rise, the evening in Rotterdam served primarily as a showcase for the future.
