April 21, 2022 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – Atletico Ottawa News Release
Atlético Ottawa has broken a new record, winning back-to-back games for the first time in the club’s short history. However, for a pair of close friends who have risen through the ranks together, the elation of the past two weeks represents more than just six points. Québec duo Zakaria Bahous and Zachary Roy signed for Atleti during the off-season and, after impressing in Madrid, have found their way onto the field at TD Place within just two games – both making their professional debut.
They’ve shared the field many a time before though having played together for a season for the Champlain Cavaliers just outside of Montréal. “It’s special playing with him you know. He played right back and me in the number 8/10 position,” Bahous said. “To have played together and then to progress at the same time, it’s been so cool having someone we know very well to live this with.”
Away from the pitch, they have helped each other feel at ease and even lived together when they first moved to Ottawa (with Bahous teaching Roy the basics of cooking pasta). within a professional group, surrounded by experienced players speaking various languages. “There was a lot of English and Spanish so having French speakers was great for us,” Roy explained. “I feel like we helped each other, I wasn’t alone in my little corner, there was someone I knew going through this too.”
They gelled quickly though and, as you’d expect, they are treated like the younger brothers of the group. He and Bahous are sharp though, making sure they pick up some tips and tricks from players who ‘have seen how football’s played around the world’. “I’m not a big talker, but I do listen” Bahous laughed. “It’s made our debuts so easy, having guys next to you who have done this their whole lives.”
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