Sami Ouaissa: Why He's the Most Dangerous Man in NEC's Line-Up Against FC Volendam
What a difference a few weeks can make. Not so long ago, I was hearing whispers from a few lads behind the scenes at NEC that the team was struggling for consistency. But lately, there's one man who has been setting Nijmegen's attack alight: Sami Ouaissa. The midfielder, affectionately dubbed 'Sami Roda' by fans in the stands for his tireless work rate and technical class, is now indispensable to the starting eleven. According to insiders at the club, he proved his worth again this past weekend, firing NEC into third place in the Eredivisie.
The game that changed everything
Anyone who was there at the Goffertstadion won't quickly forget that one piece of skill from Ouaissa. Against last week's opponents – the name might be fading, but the goal certainly hasn't – he received the ball on the edge of the box. One feint, two defenders left for dead, and he bent it into the far corner with his left foot. Those who witnessed it up close say that goal sealed the match and catapulted NEC, thanks also to a strike from Lebreton Oenal, into that coveted third spot. 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-hit wonder. Anyone following his season sees a player getting better with every game. He combines the grit of a born-and-bred Nijmegen lad with the finesse of a top-class footballer. Here's a moment for the stat-lovers among us:
- 8 goals in the Eredivisie this season, with 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 successful dribbles per game, often right through the heart of the defence – exactly where it hurts.
- A pass completion rate of 84% in the attacking half, showing he doesn't just shine individually, but also makes the team tick.
It's precisely this red-hot form that makes him the most dangerous player on the pitch this coming Sunday against FC Volendam.
Volendam come to town: ready for another masterclass?
Volendam travel to Nijmegen with nothing to lose. They know that if you give Ouaissa space, you'll be punished. I'm hearing from pundits that the visitors will likely try to double-mark 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 a pass, too. If he has another night like he did against the last opponents on Sunday, NEC could well consolidate third place and put the pressure on the top two.
The anticipation is building in Nijmegen. Tickets for NEC vs Volendam are flying out the door, and everyone wants to see one thing: Sami Ouaissa putting the ball in 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 come Sunday.