Belgian club Genk announced on Friday that Moroccan right-back Zakaria El Ouahdi, 22, has extended his contract until 2028. El Ouahdi joined Genk in September 2023 from Molenbeek, another Belgian Pro League team, and quickly made his mark on the squad, becoming a crucial part of Genk’s tactical plans.
El Ouahdi shone during the title playoff matches, starting in five out of eight league games. The club posted on its website: “Thanks to his stamina and perseverance, El Ouahdi has become an indispensable player at Cegeka Arena.”
His rapid rise has not gone unnoticed internationally. Despite strong interest from Portuguese club Benfica, El Ouahdi chose to stay loyal to Genk.
On the international stage, El Ouahdi continues to progress with Morocco. He was a key figure in winning the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Recently, he received his first senior call-up from Walid Regragui to participate in Morocco’s upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho.
