Profile: Why Moroccan Noah Sadaoui is perfect fit at FC Goa

The 28-year-old winger has joined on a two-year deal.

FC Goa have signed Moroccan Noah Sadaoui for the 2022-23 edition of the Indian Super League. He is Goa’s fourth foreign signing in this transfer window following the acquisition of Alvaro Vazquez, Fares Arnaout, and Iker Guarrotxena. 

The winger has already made four appearances for the Moroccan National team, all of which came in Morocco's title-winning campaign of 2020 African Nations Championship. Noah started both the semi-final and final as Morocco clinched the title.

He has also had various stints in the US, Israel, South Africa, Oman, Egypt, and Morocco. Noah played a significant portion of his senior career in Morocco. FC Goa signed him from Moroccan side AS FAR.

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The Moroccan joins Goa with a wealth of expertise from competing in several leagues. He possesses a broad skill set that the Gaurs will benefit from in the upcoming ISL season.

Prior Experience

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Noah Sadaoui started his career with the youth teams of Wydad Casablanca. At the age of 11, he emigrated to the US with his family and joined the academy of MLS side New York Red Bulls.

Following his graduation from the youth academies and a brief stint with some teams in the US, he joined Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Haifa in 2013. He was loaned to Hapoel Kfar Saba, a team in the Israeli second division, not long after arriving. 

The following season, he served a second loan spell at another second-tier team Nazareth Illit. At the end of the season, he parted ways with Maccabi Haifa. 

Sadaoui joined South African Premier League side Ajax Cape Town in the summer of 2014. He scored three goals in as many matches, helping them bag the league title 2015 MTN 8. Next, the winger signed with the American National Premier Soccer League side, Miami United FC. He helped the club to its second league championship.

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Noah Sadaoui went on to join a couple of Oman clubs and featured in the Omantel Professional League from 2016 to 2018. After a brief outing with the Egyptian side, ENPPI SC, for one season, the winger returned to the native country.

He joined the Moroccan side, Mouloudia Oujda, in 2019. He made 44 appearances for them and scored 13 goals during his two-year tenure at the club. Another club in the league, Raja Casablanca, signed him after his impressive performance. From Raja Casablanca, Noah joined the FAR Rabat in 2021 before signing with Goa.

Type of Player

Noah typically plays the position of a winger. His unique trait is that he doesn't have a weaker foot and is capable of playing on both wings.

While his team is attacking, he either occupies the wide position sticking to the by-line and stretching the opposition defensive line or drifts inwards in the half-spaces to receive and build up the attack.

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The 28-year-old often comes down the pitch to collect the ball and make line-breaking passes to forward players. His crossing ability is top-class, and his ability to make cross-runs towards the penalty area from the flank increases his attacking prowess. 

Sadaoui presses high up the pitch while defending, often forcing the opposition players into making mistakes. He is quick on his feet, and his tactical reading of the game allows him to make interceptions and break the passage of play of the opposition.

What does he bring to the team?

Noah Sadaoui is a perfect fit for the Gaurs, a side that plays possession-based football and likes to dominate the opposition. His attacking abilities are tailor-made for Goa’s style of play. It will be exciting to see how he links up with players like Vazquez, Brandon Fernandes, and Edu Bedia. 

Before deciding the move to Goa, he talked with the manager, Carlos Pena, and felt welcome. He was being approached by other teams as well, according to reports. This shows his interest and positive attitude towards the club. Noah’s experience with other clubs will be advantageous to FC Goa in their quest for the ISL title.

“I’m pleased to begin the next phase of my career with FC Goa. The Club are not new to me, we’ve been speaking to each other for nearly two years now, and I’ve used this time to follow them and their performances in the Indian Super League, Durand Cup and so on," said the Moroccan after signing for the Gaurs.

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“I had offers from clubs in other countries as well, but when the coach himself had a chat with me and made it clear that he believes in my abilities, it gave me the confidence to decide that I’m joining them."

Goa's Director of Football, Ravi Puskar, also spoke highly of the new signing. "He’s somebody we were very interested in a few years ago and have always maintained that interest. This year, when the opportunity opened up, we pushed hard to ensure we got him on board," said Puskar.

“Noah’s an x-factor player who is more than capable of the unpredictable and can play anywhere across the front line. He has a natural eye for goal and his movements to create space will make him a real handful for defenders this year."

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