With the winter transfer window in Egypt over, African champions Ahli seem to have came out as the biggest losers with their four mediocre and controversial signings: Abdul-Hamid Hassan (Mido) from Asyut Cement club, Ahmed Adel from Olympic club, Anis Boujelbene from Sfaxien of Tunisia and finally Ahmed Belal from Konyaspor of Turkey. I am pretty sure that the 35-year-old Mido was the most surprised when he found that the Cairo powerhouse was interested in him, despite his relatively old age. With Ahli's fans left dumbstruck by Mido's deal, Ahli's administration opted to bring in another controversial striker, Ahmed Belal. Simply, if Ahli signed up Belal first, the club wouldn't have contracted Mido. But the serious negotiations between arch-rival Zamalek and ex-Ahli striker Belal made Ahli officials jump in to reacquire the once-undesirable striker. Belal lost much of his credit when it comes to Ahli fans and the striker will have to struggle a lot to find himself a place in Ahli's starting line-up. In a nutshell, Ahli would have been better off signing one “super” striker instead of both Mido and Belal. Right-winger Ahmed Adel, 23, seems to be a promising player. Yet, Ahli's football committee yielded to Portuguese coach Manuel Jose's demands to get rid of Mohamed Abdullah who left to Konyaspor.
Simply, if Ahli signed up Belal first, the club wouldn't have contracted Mido. But the serious negotiations between arch-rival Zamalek and ex-Ahli striker Belal made Ahli officials jump in to reacquire the once-undesirable striker. Ahli simply replaced a “Mohamed” with an “Ahmed”, with no guarantee whatsoever that newcomer Adel will have better chance to drive his way to the starting line-up. On the other hand, 28-year-old midfielder Boujelbene appears to be Ahli's single successful signing in this transfer season. Boujelbene is the only player who may not find it difficult to establish himself with the Red Devils in the main line-up. The Tunisian may in fact force both Hassan Mostafa and Hossam Ashour to the sidelines as he comes in to replace another “unwanted” foreigner in midfield, Akwety Mensah. The Ghanaian midfielder, who cost Ahli a reported LE 3.5 million before sustaining a long term injury, after which he was deemed a surplus by coach Jose. All-in-all, Ahli failed to achieve a passing grade in their winter acquisitions this year given the fact that there has been much hype about singing a superstar striker. Mido and Ahmed Adel will be lucky if they find themselves at the 18-player list on regular basis. And while the arrival of Boujelbene could entice competition in midfield with Ahmed Hassan, Hassan Mostafa and Mohamed Shawki, Belal's situation could turn into a time bomb if things between him and Jose continue going south.
