Sami Ouaissa: Why he’s the man to watch for NEC against FC Volendam
Funny what a few weeks can do. Not long ago, I was hearing from a few guys behind the scenes at NEC that the squad was struggling to find any consistency. But in recent weeks, one man has been setting Nijmegen's attack alight: Sami Ouaissa. The midfielder, affectionately dubbed 'Sami Roda' by fans on the terraces thanks to his relentless work rate and technical class, is now an undisputed starter. According to club insiders, he proved his worth again last weekend, firing NEC into third spot in the Eredivisie.
The game that changed everything
Anyone who was at the Goffertstadion won't quickly forget that one moment of magic from Ouaissa. Against last week's opponent – the name might fade, but the goal won't – he received the ball on the edge of the box. One shimmy, two defenders left for dead, and he lashed it with his left foot into the far corner. Those who saw it up close tell me that goal sealed the deal, and along with Lebreton Oenal's strike, catapulted NEC to that prized third place. The stadium erupted, and the chant of "Sami Roda" echoed around the ground.
More than a flash in the pan: the stats don't lie
But Ouaissa is no one-week wonder. Anyone following his season can see a player getting better with every match. He combines the grit of a local lad with the finesse of a top-class footballer. Let's take a moment for the stat-heads out there:
- 8 goals in the Eredivisie this season, including 3 in his last 5 appearances.
- 5 assists, meaning he's directly involved in nearly a third of all NEC's goals.
- Averaging 2.3 dribbles per game, often right through the heart of the defence – exactly where it hurts.
- An 84% pass completion rate in the attacking half, showing he's not just a solo act but makes the whole team tick.
It's exactly this red-hot form that makes him the most dangerous weapon on the park this Sunday against FC Volendam.
Volendam come to town: ready for another masterclass?
Volendam are heading to Nijmegen with nothing to lose. They know that if you give Ouaissa space, you'll pay the price. I'm hearing from pundits that the visitors will try to double-team him, but that just opens up gaps for his teammates. Don't forget, Ouaissa isn't just a scorer; he's got an eye for the unmarked man. If he produces another night like the one against the last opponent, NEC could well consolidate third spot and start putting pressure on the top two.
The buzz is building in Nijmegen. Tickets for NEC v Volendam are flying out the door, and everyone wants to see one thing: Sami Ouaissa finding the back of the net again. Whether you call him Ouaissa or Roda, if he keeps playing like this, we'll be talking about a genuine club legend in a few months' time. We'll know more on Sunday.