Sami Ouaissa: Why he's NEC's biggest threat against FC Volendam

Funny what a few weeks can do. Not that long ago, I was hearing from a few people behind the scenes at NEC that the team was struggling to find any consistency. But lately, there's been one man igniting the attack in Nijmegen: Sami Ouaissa. The midfielder, affectionately nicknamed 'Sami Roda' by the fans in the stands for his relentless work rate and technical class, has become an undeniable fixture in the starting eleven. According to club insiders, he proved his worth again last weekend, firing NEC up to third place in the Eredivisie.

The game that changed everything

Anyone who was at the Goffertstadion won't quickly forget that one piece of magic from Ouaissa. Against last week's opponent – the name might be fading, but the goal certainly isn't – he received the ball on the edge of the box. One dummy, two defenders left in his wake, and he smashed it with his left foot into the far corner. People there that day will tell you that goal sealed the deal, catapulting NEC – with Lebreton Oenal also getting on the scoresheet – to that coveted third spot. The place erupted, and the name "Sami Roda" echoed around the ground.

More than a flash in the pan: the numbers don't lie

But Ouaissa is no one-hit wonder. Follow his season, and you see a player getting better with every week. He combines the grit of a born-and-bred Nijmegen local with the finesse of a top-class footballer. Here's a quick moment for the stat-lovers among us:

• 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 the most.
• An 84% passing accuracy in the attacking half, showing he's not just about individual brilliance but also makes the team tick.

It's exactly this kind of form that makes him the most dangerous player on the park this Sunday against FC Volendam.

Volendam in 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. I'm hearing from pundits that the visitors will likely 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 a pass, too. If he has another night like he did against the last opponent, NEC could well consolidate that third spot and start putting pressure on the top two.

The buzz is building in Nijmegen. Tickets for NEC vs 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. We'll know more on Sunday.