Mo Babouli Set for Syria National Team Duty

It looks like Brem Soumaoro won’t be the only York United athlete set to travel for international duty this March.

Nine Stripes forward and key squad addition Molham Babouli has been named for Syria ahead of two friendly tilts against Thailand and Bahrain.

The 30-year-old attacker is expected to be a pivotal presence for York United this season. His late summer arrival sparked a resurgence in form to the side last year, with the former TFC and Forge striker tallying five goals and two assists in just eight appearances.

It was only just last year when Babouli made his debut for Syria in the country’s World Cup Qualifiers, with the forward featuring in losses to the United Arab Emirates and South Korea at the start of 2022. Before that, Babouli had made six appearances for Canada at the U-23 level.

The Al-Ain born striker had contributed twelve goals in 43 appearances while with Forge FC from 2020-2021, helping the Hamilton-based side to a league title at The Island Games before finishing his time in orange with a runners-up medal in 2021.

He then left on a short-term deal with Qatar side Muaither SC before joining York United on deal that runs through to 2024.

Prior to his time in CPL pastures, Babouli made waves with Toronto FC II before breaking through with the senior Toronto FC team. He made twenty appearances for the MLS side, accruing a Canadian Championship title in 2016.

Syria will kick off against Thailand at the Al Ahli Youth Stadium next Saturday before facing Bahrain on March 28.

Babouli and Soumaoro aren’t the only CPL players set for international duty, with Valour duo Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Pacifique Niyongabire also earning call-ups from Haiti and Burundi, while Vancouver FC defender Eugene Martinez has gotten the nod from Belize.

Head Image Photo Credit: John Jacques