• Premier League

Taarabt underlines intentions to play African Nations Cup

ESPN staff
December 19, 2012
Adel Taarabt intends to play at the African Nations Cup © Getty Images
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Queens Park Rangers playmaker Adel Taarabt has confirmed he wishes to represent Morocco at the African Nations Cup.

Taarabt, 23, recently revealed that QPR manager Harry Redknapp had requested he misses the tournament, which begins on January 19 and ends on February 10.

The midfielder, who scored a brace to earn QPR their first win of the season at the weekend, outlined his reluctance to snub his nation and he has now reiterated his desire to earn a call-up from Morocco boss Rachid Taoussi.

"I will do everything I can to prove to him that I deserve to be there," Taarabt told the African football blog on lequipe.fr.

Asked about Redknapp's request, Taarabt said: "He came to see me to ask me not to go but I told him, 'If they call me, I can't refuse, boss. I love my country, I love the Moroccan people and football means a lot to them'.

"I warned him that the only solution was that the coach doesn't call me up."

He added: "The coach isn't obliged to take me. I hope to be at the African Nations Cup but even if I'm not there, and that would be painful, I will be the biggest Morocco supporter."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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