Rabat – Following several attempts by the Belgian federation to retain Rayane Bounida, FIFA has officially approved the Moroccan midfielder’s change of sporting nationality.
This decision comes after Bounida informed the Belgian Football Association that he wishes to represent Morocco at the international level, according to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
The 20-year-old, who plays for Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands, is now permitted to represent the Moroccan national team in various age categories in the upcoming sporting events.
The Belgian Federation received an official letter confirming Bonida’s decision, saying that this choice is a personal decision that can only be made by him, Belgium’s Under-21 coach told the “Sportsa” network.
Born in Vilvoorde, Bounida has been part of Belgium’s youth team since he was under 16. He most recently appeared for the Belgian under-21s national team last November, marking his final match with the “Red Devils” and earning a total of his international caps to 41.
Despite several efforts by the Belgian federation to retain him, Rayane Bounida chose the Moroccan national team, “Atlas Lions,” as a preferred destination.