Moroccan international Chadli pledges future to Belgium
FC Twente's Nacer Chadli will represent his second country in two months after playing for Morocco in November and being called up by Belgium on Thursday.
Chadli said he had received invitations from both nations and had opted for Belgium, the country of his birth.
The striker withdrew from Morocco's squad for the friendly against Niger.
"I had a positive discussion with (Belgium coach George) Leekens and decide to play for Belgium," Chadli, 21, wrote on his personal website.
Chadli makes his decision despite knowing that Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations last week.
Belgium host Finland in a friendly in Ghent next Wednesday, a date when Morocco host Niger in Marrakech.
The player, who has tasted Champions League action this season with Twente, has dual nationality because his parents hail from the north African kingdom.
He is still eligible to play for Belgium because his Morocco debut against Northern Ireland, when he was named man of the match, came in a non-competitive tie.
He will only be tied to a single country once he plays a competitive international like a European Championship or African Nations Cup qualifying match.
Belgium and Morocco have competitive games scheduled for March.
