A stunning and decisive long-range drive from Shehab Ahmed, an Ahli youngster in a squad of several veterans, gave coach Hossam Al-Badri the assurance that his reliance on new blood is starting to pay off. Shehab, a talented 19-year-old player with attributes of a modern central midfielder, let fly from around 35 yards to rescue an Ahli side who were on the verge of exiting the Champions League from the preliminary rounds. His stoppage-time strike earned the six-time African champions a 3-0 victory over Libya's Ittihad for a 3-2 aggregate win that lifted them to the group stage of Africa's premier club competition. He rushed towards the running track in celebration, looking ecstatic while pointing to the logo of Ahli as a sign of appreciation. Al-Badri was not involved in Shehab's post-goal celebrations but he was given the credit he deserves after the final whistle. "The coach believes in my capabilities," Shehab, who burst onto the scene during Egypt's U-20 World Cup campaign on home soil in October last year, said. "He told me to shoot on target whenever I have the chance," Shehab, described by local media as 'the Butcher', added. Al-Badri took over at the club last summer after working as an assistant to Portuguese coach Manuel Jose for five years, during which Ahli won a host of local and continental titles. With some unfruitful close-season signings and injuries to key players disrupting Ahli's bid for a sixth consecutive Egyptian Premier League triumph, Al-Badri began a rebuilding process through promoting several youngsters to the first team. Inconsistent results and an unexciting brand of football heaped more pressure on him although he eventually managed to lead the Red Devils to a 35th league title, with the help of the new faces. His job hung by a thread though after Ahli lost 2-0 at Ittihad in the first leg of the Champions League last 16, leaving them with an uphill to climb to avoid an embarrassing elimination. They climbed it after Al-Badri's faith in the likes of Shehab, winger Ahmed Shokri, playmaker Afrotto and left-back Ayman Ashraf, all of which had significant roles to play throughout the season, bore fruit. "The young players are very, very good. I hope they will continue to perform that well," Al-Badri said after Ahli's invaluable victory over Ittihad. Jose Shadow
Al-Badri (R) consistently compared with Jose (L) Al-Badri is gradually trying to move out of the shadow of Jose, who left Ahli after earning a cult status among their faithful. The Portuguese stiff-looking coach, who had a special bond with the fans and players alike, led Africa's undisputed number one club to five league titles and three Champions League triumphs among several other minor titles during his glorious reign. Ahli supporters recall his days every time their team stumble, drawing constant comparisons with the less glamorous Al-Badri. But Al-Badri has successfully accomplished his tasks so far, winning the league and guiding Ahli to a place in the Champions League group stage. "Jose began his coaching career 40 years ago, so any comparison with him will be good for me," the 50-year-old said. "However, people should bear in mind that the Ahli team Jose managed is stronger than my team. I would have hugely succeeded if I had managed Ahli in 2005 for example." Al-Badri is still struggling to win over Ahli fans but he has two major allies - Jose and the local media. Jose, who is yet to find a new job after leaving Angola following January's African Cup of Nations finals, consistently praises his former assistant. The local media also regards him highly, but for reasons that may differ from Jose's. Jose was such critical of the media personnel that they are fully supporting Al-Badri to prove that the huge success of his predecessor was down to mere luck rather than good technical abilities. "Al-Badri is proving that he is better than Jose," Taher Abou-Zeid, an Ahli star in the 1980s and current football TV presenter, said. "Last season Ahli won the league under Jose but bowed out of the Champions League last 16 before being eliminated from the Confederation Cup (Africa's secondary competition)." Al-Badri has a chance to end the season in the best possible way and forge a reputation of being a promising manager as Ahli still have the Egyptian Cup to play for. Winning it will give the team a 100% success this term and will probably silence doubters.
