The African Cup, a frustrating dream
The spotlight of African football, and well beyond, has been focused on Morocco since December 21 and the opening match of the Can, between the country of Achraf Hakimi and… the Comoros. “This opening ceremony and this national anthem, it was incredible. The next match, I made eye contact with my mother as I went onto the field. It made me happy to make her proud, says Rafiki Saïd, seated on a couch at the Cascade Wellness Resort in Lagos. For Africans, the Can is a huge competition, and I think it will grow further in the coming years.”
At Standard, Marlon Fossey is back: “Despite all the misfortunes we’ve had, it’s very encouraging to be sixth”
After the initial defeat against Morocco, the Comoros did not do better than two 0-0s, against Zambia and Mali. “The frustration comes from the match against Zambia. We had the cards in hand to take these three points which would have allowed us to qualify, Saïd grimaces. The people are understandably disappointed, but it remains a great experience from which we will learn to come back stronger.”
This collective failure did not prevent the 25-year-old winger from highlighting himself, individually, in an unusual position since he was surprisingly positioned at number 9, willy-nilly. “I am relatively happy with my performances but I could have done even better, like the whole team. But I gave everything, without calculating, so I have no regrets.”
A quickly integrated and decisive X factor
Casually, by spending 2.5 million euros on a winger playing in Ligue 2, and even having scouted him carefully, the sports management of Standard could not be wrong given the state of its finances.
“Well, honestly, I don’t think about that at all. evacuates the main person concerned. I was just happy to sign here. To receive the confidence of the coach and the club because I walk with emotion. And to quickly prove what I had in my legs and stomach. Frankly, I think I adapted quite quickly and managed the transition between French Ligue 2 and Belgian D1 well.”
Indisputable holder on the left flank, Rafiki Saïd is the X factor of Standard. A player capable of brilliance that can decide a match. His three goals – two of which were gems against Club Brugge and Antwerp – and two assists have not yet completely satisfied him. “I’m not necessarily looking to score great goals. I’m also fine if I just have to push the ball deep, eh (laugh). I also know how to give good passes.”he insists, references to his centers for Ayensa – against Dender – or Henry – against Charleroi.
As proof, he has the best percentage (50%) of successful crosses in the championship. “Ah good ? I don’t really look at statistics and that sort of thing.”
I feel like I get different treatment from opponents but that doesn’t bother me.
If he has often been praised for his offensive qualities, Saïd has regularly been singled out for his defensive work, sometimes neglected at the start of the year. “But watch the matches carefully! I defend, he retorts, after the coach emphasizes this aspect of his game. It’s sometimes annoying to hear or read the opposite. Plus, I have the trunk to do it. But on which side of the court am I judged? On my defensive returns or on my offensive actions?
This is where he is most awaited, naturally. But this Standard, suffering from bad luck in recent months and faced with certain limitations, also needs eleven players involved in defensive tasks. And for this, Vincent Euvrard, when Saïd was absent, sometimes modified his playing system, switching to 3-5-2.
“I play where and how the coach decides”, smiles Saïd, who does not hide that his preferred position is that of left flank, no piston or attack support. “I feel like I get different treatment from the opponents, who hold me closer, but that doesn’t bother me. If so, that means there are more spaces for my teammates elsewhere on the pitch. In any case, I’m the type of player who has fun and always gives 100%. %. Or even 200 %. This is how we get there, all together.”
The ambition of the Champions Playoffs
All together. One of the mottos of a Standard which dreams out loud of returning to the Champions Playoffs, or even the European Cup. It’s still the time of wishes, let’s go there happily.
“In our group, not many people have already participated. If we achieve them, it will be together, as a team. This is our goal, our motivation, and it must be our strength, motivates Saïd, looking towards the bay window overlooking the Atlantic. We are sixth but, in certain matches, we even deserved better. We must continue to be demanding and hard-working, we are on the right path. Cohesion is taking shape.”
Too many reviews? No, it’s the status of the club that wants that.
Are the public and the press too harsh on the Rouches, as some repeat? “No, because it is the status of the club that wants that. We know, by signing with Standard, that we will be exposed to criticism. If this can allow us to evolve, so much the better. But I assume it’s best not to talk too much beforehand. We’ll see where we end up…”
Hoping to be spared from injuries for the second part of the season. Rafiki Saïd was there too. During the match against Antwerp in mid-October (1-0), he felt pain in his gluteal muscle. “This is the first time this has happened to me. I admit, I continued to play on it but as the injury dragged on a bit, with the staff, we decided to stop me for a while (2 matches). The hematoma had become inflamed. But things are much better today.”
Past interest from Charleroi and Anderlecht? I’m happy to be at Standard (smile).
Standard will really need it given the crazy schedule that awaits it, from January 18 in… Charleroi, a club that Rafiki Saïd could have joined a few months ago. “Ah, this question…” Embarrassed smile.
Two weeks later, on February 1, there will be Anderlecht… who also followed him. “Double embarrassing question.”
Surrounded by the two journalists present, Sclessin’s new favorite concludes with a dribble of which he has the secret, accompanied by a smile: “I’m just happy to be here. The Standard is a very good step.”
