Nothing to prove for Boussoufa
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Article summary
RSC Anderlecht's Mbark Boussoufa spent five years in the AFC Ajax youth ranks but the Dutchman says he has only points on his mind as he prepares to meet his former side in the UEFA Europa League.
Article top media content
Article body
RSC Anderlecht midfielder Mbark Boussoufa is looking forward to facing AFC Ajax in the UEFA Europa League, but the Morocco international says he has no desire for revenge over the club where he learned his trade.
Club search
At a time when a number of talented young Belgians play in the Netherlands, Boussoufa is one of the few players to have moved in the other direction. Born in Amsterdam, the 25-year-old came up through Ajax's youth ranks from 1996-2001, alongside the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong and Hedwiges Maduro. However, after spending the next three years at Chelsea FC, his search for regular football eventually took him to Belgium and KAA Gent in 2004.
Good move
It proved a good career move as Boussoufa flourished in the Eerste Klasse. He was named Belgium's Player of the Year with Gent in 2006 and was swiftly snapped up by Anderlecht. He claimed the award for a second time last season with the Purple and Whites. Now a senior member of the side, Boussoufa is determined to keep Thursday's game at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in perspective as Anderlecht look to build on their opening-day 2-0 victory over NK Dinamo Zagreb in Group A.
Special moment
"Obviously it's special to play against my former club, but it's more important for Anderlecht to grab the points and get good results in the Europa League," Boussoufa said. "The fact I'm already playing at this level with Anderlecht says enough; I don't feel any need to prove myself against Ajax. Obviously, I just want to get a good result for Anderlecht. There is no need to take revenge or anything."
Belgian level
With one league title and a domestic cup to show for the last three seasons, Boussoufa believes Anderlecht are at a similar level to the top sides in the Eredivisie, a belief which also explains why he has no particular desire to return to Ajax. "Anderlecht have been at a high level while I've been here ... and I think they would be in the top four in the Netherlands. So, despite Ajax being a fantastic club with an excellent youth department – and I will never forget my years with them – there is no need to go back there for me. When I leave Anderlecht, it will be to take at least two steps forward, not just one small one."
