Al Ahly’s newest signing, Monsef Bekarar, arrives at the Egyptian club carrying more than the expectations normally placed on a new recruit. The Algerian forward has the opportunity to become the first player from his country to establish a lasting legacy at the club after previous Algerian arrivals struggled to meet expectations.
Bekarar is only the third Algerian to represent Al Ahly, following Amir Sayoud and Ahmed Kandoussi, both of whose spells ended without the long-term impact supporters had hoped for.
Despite Algeria’s reputation for producing players who have excelled across Arab and African football, that success has not been replicated at Al Ahly. Neither of the club’s previous Algerian signings managed to secure a sustained place in the team or leave the enduring mark anticipated when they arrived.
As a result, Bekarar begins his Al Ahly career with the added challenge of changing that narrative.
Supporters are looking to the club’s latest signing to help restore Al Ahly to domestic and continental success after losing the Egyptian Premier League title last season. Fans are also hoping he can contribute to a strong campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup, with victory in that competition offering a route into the African Super Cup.
The expectation surrounding Bekarar reflects both the ambitions of the club and the desire to see an Algerian player finally thrive in the famous red shirt.
Sayoud’s promise never fully materialised
Amir Sayoud became the first Algerian to join Al Ahly when he signed for the club in 2009.
His stay lasted until 2011 before he continued his career elsewhere in Egypt and abroad, but his time in Cairo failed to develop as many had anticipated.
According to the figures provided, Sayoud made just 13 appearances across all competitions, playing a total of 432 minutes. During that period, he did not score and registered only one assist.
Although the report suggests he was not always given sufficient opportunities to demonstrate his abilities, it also argues that he was unable to make the most of the playing time he received and therefore failed to convince successive coaching staffs.
One moment came to define much of his spell at the club. A missed penalty against Kima Aswan attracted widespread ridicule from supporters and remained one of the most memorable incidents of his Al Ahly career.
The report attributes Sayoud’s struggles largely to his age when he joined the club, suggesting that high expectations from supporters, coupled with limited patience, prevented him from developing the confidence and consistency needed to earn their trust.
Kandoussi showed improvement but fell short
More than a decade later, Al Ahly again turned to Algeria, signing midfielder Ahmed Kandoussi from ES Sétif during the 2023 winter transfer window.
His spell produced stronger statistics than Sayoud’s, although it ultimately ended in similar disappointment.
Kandoussi featured in 21 matches across all competitions, accumulating 1,075 minutes on the pitch. During that time he scored two goals and contributed three assists.
While those numbers represented an improvement on the previous Algerian signing, they were not enough to secure him a permanent place in the starting line-up.
After falling out of the coaching staff’s plans, Kandoussi joined Ceramica Cleopatra on loan before leaving Al Ahly permanently. He now plays for Swiss club Lugano.
His departure was accompanied by controversy.
The report states that media comments made by the midfielder generated widespread debate, while a dispute with former Al Ahly contracts director Amir Tawfiq further damaged his relationship with the club’s hierarchy.
Those issues ultimately led Al Ahly to place the player on the transfer list, bringing his time at the club to an end without the success supporters had expected.
A chance to change history
Bekarar now finds himself in a unique position.
Rather than simply adapting to life at one of Africa’s biggest clubs, he also carries the responsibility of trying to become the first Algerian to enjoy sustained success at Al Ahly.
The experiences of Sayoud and Kandoussi demonstrate that talent alone has not been enough for previous Algerian signings to establish themselves in Cairo.
With expectations high ahead of a season in which Al Ahly are targeting a return to domestic and continental honours, Bekarar has the opportunity to write a different chapter in the club’s history with Algerian players and prove that previous struggles do not have to define the future.
