Interview with Karim Zaza

(www.AtlasLions.eu/16 Mar. 2007) Here is an exclusive interview with Moroccan and Rot Weiss Essen goalie Karim Zaza. We asked him some questions about his life, his club, the Moroccan national team and his future and here are the answers:

Q: Where are you from in Morocco and how often do you go there?

Zaza: I am from a little village near Nador, and unfortunately I don't go there very often.

Q: "Kicker" said you are the 3rd best keeper in the 2nd Bundesliga. How are you plans for the future ? Would you play in the Regionalliga, if RWE relegates and have you alternatives ?

Zaza: About my future, i dont think much about it. i think we will stay in the 2nd Bundesliga.

Q: What are the differences between the Danish league and the 2. Bundesliga ?

Zaza: In Denmark they focus more on technique, but here in the 2. Bundesliga there are much more spectators and the media hype is bigger.

Q: How do you feel, when you hear that most Moroccan fans and journalists rate you as the best Moroccan keeper, but yet you don't get called up ?

Zaza: The opinion of the fans and journalists honours me. But the coach maybe has his own reasons why he doesn't call me up.

Q: Zaki called you up twice. How does it come that you didn't play for the National Team, even when at that moment you were the best keeper in Denmark ? were there any problems ?

Zaza: No, there were no problems.

Q:What do you think about the goalkeeper-situation in the National Team right now? Do you think you still have a chance?

Zaza: I dont think about it. If the coach wants to see me, then he will call me.

Q: When was your last contact with the National Team or the FRMF?

Zaza: Many years ago.

Q: In many Forums the rumour is going on, that you regret to have opted for Morocco over Denmark, and that you don't want to play for Morocco anymore. Is that true ?

Zaza: No, it is absolutly not true.

Q: Do you have contact with other Moroccan players in Germany?

Zaza: No, there isn't any contact.

Q: Can you understand why players, like Afellay from PSV and Fellaini from Standard de Liege opt for Holland and Belgium respectively above Morocco? You yourself had the choice between Morocco and Denmark.

Zaza: I wanted to play for Morocco. why other players opt for other countries, i don't know. But they have their own reasons.

Q: What are your plans for the future? Do you think about becoming a coach after your football career?

Zaza: like i said, i don't think about the future. I am fully concentrating on my club RWE.

Special thanks to Karim Zaza and Daniel Mucha who arranged this interview.