The municipality of Schaerbeek paid tribute Thursday evening to Mohammed Ouahbi, coach of Morocco's under-20 national football team, who led his squad to victory at the U20 World Cup in Chile on October 20. The 49-year-old, a longtime resident of Schaerbeek, was greeted with loud applause as around a hundred supporters gathered for the ceremony. Children eagerly lined up for autographs, waving footballs and jerseys from local club Crossing Schaerbeek, while the room erupted in spontaneous cheers. Ouahbi, visibly moved, said he was «very proud and honored» by the warm welcome. «I've always been proud to be a resident of Schaerbeek», he said. «Like many others, I grew up here, worked hard, and listened to my parents. Seeing how my municipality is developing makes me even more proud».
