Hamdou Elhouni delivered once again for Al Ahli Tripoli, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Olympic Azzawiya to send his side into the Libyan Cup quarter-finals.
The 32-year-old captain struck in the first half, curling home a precise effort from outside the box to settle a tightly contested encounter and keep Al Ahli’s title defence firmly on track.
Captain steps up
In a match where chances were limited, Elhouni proved the difference. With Olympic Azzawiya sitting deep and frustrating the hosts, the midfielder found space on the edge of the area and produced a moment of quality to break the deadlock.
The goal ultimately proved enough, as Al Ahli controlled proceedings and secured a clean sheet to progress.
Key figure for champions
Elhouni’s influence continues to be central to Al Ahli’s ambitions. The Tripoli-born midfielder returned to the club in 2024 after spells with Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Wydad AC, and has since played a leading role in their recent success.
Last season, he was instrumental as the club secured a domestic treble, including the Libyan Premier League title, the Libyan Cup, and the Super Cup.
Transfer interest grows
The latest performance comes amid reports of interest from Qadsia SC, with Al Ahli keen to retain their captain. Club officials are said to have made a significant offer to keep the midfielder, underlining his importance to the squad.
Head coach Hossam El Badry has built his side around Elhouni’s leadership and creativity, with the player widely regarded as a key figure in the dressing room.
Title defence gathers momentum
With qualification secured, Al Ahli remain on course to defend their Libyan Cup crown. However, competition is expected to intensify in the later rounds, with strong challengers across the domestic scene.
For now, the focus remains on maintaining momentum—and once again, Elhouni has shown he could be the man to lead the charge.
