Ajax has expressed interest in signing the talented Moroccan midfielder Elias Houira, who is receiving interest from many major European clubs, making the issue of his transfer to Amsterdam unresolved, according to the Danish newspaper “Tebsbladet” on Tuesday.
Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona are closely monitoring the FC Copenhagen midfielder (15 years old).
Howeira had joined the team from AGF earlier this year, and signed a contract extending until mid-2029.
Scouts from those clubs have already traveled to Denmark to follow Hawira, who is receiving widespread attention, closely. The Danish newspaper adds that there are clubs in Spain and France that are also showing interest in the player.
In addition to Danish citizenship, Hawira holds a Moroccan passport, and was recently called up to represent the Moroccan U-17 national team. The playmaker made his debut with the Moroccan U-16 national team last summer.
Abdullah Al-Awadi, the Kuwaiti national team player, confirmed that “Blue” enters the tournament with great ambitions, noting that the players focus during training on translating these ambitions into positive results on the field.
Speaking to the media, Al-Awadhi said: “Our goal is clear and our ambition is high, and this is what we constantly think about during training,” stressing that the Kuwaiti team is working hard to reach the highest levels of readiness before participating in the upcoming confrontations.
The Kuwaiti player explained that the expected crowd atmosphere will not represent a source of concern for the players, given that they have experience and the ability to deal with the pressures of matches, saying: “We are professional players, and we are not afraid of the fans.”
Al-Awadhi's statements reflect the state of confidence that prevails in the Kuwaiti national team camp, and the desire to appear strong during the tournament, especially since “Blue” is looking forward to regaining its well-known presence in Gulf competitions, and providing levels commensurate with its history and the aspirations of its fans.
During training, the technical staff focuses on the technical and physical aspects, in addition to preparing the players mentally to deal with the nature of the matches and the pressures accompanying them, amid a clear keenness to enter the competitions with a high spirit and complete focus.
The Kuwaiti team relies on the experience and discipline of its members on the field, while Al-Awadhi stressed that the group’s ambition does not stop at participation, but rather extends to competition and achieving the results that the Kuwaiti fans are waiting for.
The player's words carry a clear message before the upcoming confrontation, stating that the public presence, regardless of its size and influence, will not change the focus of the Kuwaiti players or reduce their ambition, and that the response for them will be through performance on the field.
Mohammed Al-Shoumi, Deputy Head of the Yemeni National Team Mission, confirmed that his country's national team is entering the tournament with great ambitions, stressing that participation will not be limited to attendees, but rather aims to provide levels that reflect the extent of the preparations that preceded the start of the competitions.
Al-Shoumi said, in an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat: “We prepared for this tournament in order to be a difficult number, not guests of honor, and we have a great desire to appear in a manner worthy of Yemeni football, in addition to contributing to the success of the tournament hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
He explained that the Yemeni national team went through a preparatory program in two stages, starting with an internal camp in Yemen before moving to Jeddah to complete the preparations and raise the level of technical and physical readiness of the players.
He added: “Our team is full of stars, and we prepared for the tournament by holding a camp in Yemen, followed by another camp in Jeddah, through which we were keen to prepare the players in the required manner and reach the competitions in the best possible condition.”
Al-Shumi pointed out that the ambition within the Yemeni delegation goes beyond symbolic participation, in light of the confidence in the players’ capabilities and their ability to provide a competitive performance against the tournament teams, stressing that the team will enter its matches with a fighting spirit and a clear desire to achieve positive results.
The Deputy Head of the Yemeni Mission concluded his speech by emphasizing their appreciation for the efforts made by Saudi Arabia in hosting and organizing the tournament, expressing his hope that the Yemeni team will present an honorable image that contributes to enriching the competitions and fulfilling the aspirations of its fans.
