Al-Ahly striker Mounsef Bakar could make his first appearance against Zamalek on Sunday and has the opportunity to create an Algerian scoring landmark in the Cairo derby.
The two sides meet in the sixth round of the Egyptian League, with the match offering Bakar a chance to make an immediate impact after joining Al-Ahly during the summer transfer window.
The Algerian forward moved to the Egyptian club from Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb on a three-season contract and could now find himself involved in one of the country’s biggest fixtures.
A goal against Zamalek would give Bakar a memorable start to his Al-Ahly career while also adding an Algerian name to the scoring history of the rivalry.
Although the Al-Ahly-Zamalek derby has featured several prominent Arab and African players over the years, Algerian players have not established a notable presence among the goalscorers in the fixture.
That leaves Bakar with an opportunity if he is selected and manages to find the net against Al-Ahly’s traditional rivals.
The striker is one of the new players Al-Ahly are relying on to strengthen their attacking options. His previous experience in African stadiums and professional career outside Algeria are seen as qualities that could help him deal with the pressure surrounding major matches.
Al-Ahly have also been looking for an attacking solution following the departure of Palestinian striker Wissam Abu Ali to the American League.
A goal in the derby could therefore be particularly valuable for Bakar. Beyond the significance of scoring against Zamalek, it would allow him to join a group of foreign players who have made their mark in the history of the fixture.
Recent Al-Ahly-Zamalek meetings have included important contributions from professionals from Morocco, Tunisia and other African countries, with some of those players scoring goals that have remained memorable among supporters.
Tunisian Ali Maaloul, Moroccan Ashraf Bencharki and Angolan Amado Flavio are among the foreign players whose names have been linked with decisive moments in the rivalry.
Bakar will now have the chance to add an Algerian name to that list, although his potential involvement comes with some uncertainty.
The striker only joined Al-Ahly’s training a few days before the derby after completing his international commitments with Algeria. He arrived in Cairo on Thursday after taking part in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
That leaves Al-Ahly’s technical staff, led by Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta, with a decision to make over the player’s physical and technical readiness.
Bakar’s involvement is expected to depend on his condition during the final training sessions. The coaching staff could use him during the match depending on how the game develops and the team’s attacking requirements.
The derby carries significance beyond the three points at stake because of its historical and popular importance. For a new signing, it also provides an immediate opportunity to demonstrate his qualities in one of the most closely watched matches in Egyptian football.
For Bakar, scoring against Zamalek would provide a major boost at the beginning of his Al-Ahly career and could help him win the confidence of supporters who have high expectations of the club’s new signings.
