Ayoub El Kaabi is experiencing a goal drought that is affecting his performance ahead of the World Cup.
Recent weeks have seen a notable decline in the performance of Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi with his Greek club Olympiacos, following the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations. The player, who has been accustomed to scoring regularly, is now struggling to convert opportunities into goals, prompting concern among fans and the media alike.
Recent statistics reveal that El Kaabi has netted only one goal in eight consecutive matches, a stark contrast to the strong start that made him the club’s top scorer at the beginning of the season. This slump is not limited to the Greek Super League, but extends to his performances in the UEFA Champions League, indicating that the issue is beyond the caliber of opponents or the nature of the matches. It seems to be tied to the player’s mental and physical readiness following intense appearances with the Moroccan national team during the continental tournament.
Greek media reports suggest that Olympiacos’ coaching staff is looking to support El Kaabi in regaining his scoring touch, believing that travel fatigue and the intensity of matches might be significant factors in his decreased performance. Furthermore, technical analyses have shown that the player is facing difficulties in positioning himself within the penalty area, reducing his effectiveness in front of goal and limiting his contributions to key matches for his team.
Moroccan fans are particularly uneasy about the situation, especially with the upcoming international fixtures, particularly the 2026 World Cup, where the national team will need strikers in peak form. El Kaabi is facing unprecedented media and fan pressure in Greece, which compels him to intensify his efforts in training and leverage the upcoming matches to restore the confidence of both fans and the technical staff, thereby rebuilding his usual scoring prowess.
The upcoming phase will be crucial for El Kaabi, as both Olympiacos and the Moroccan national team depend on him to deliver strong offensive performances. He must overcome this temporary setback before the major upcoming competitions.
