Al Ahly legends: Top 10 all-time greats for The Nadi El Watanniyah

Al Ahly legends: Top 10 all-time greats for The Nadi El Watanniyah

Bertha Wanjiku
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:14 PM

Being the African giant in football is an honour for Al Ahly Sporting Club in Egypt. Since the club started competing professionally, they have amassed an impressive collection of trophies and notable achievements. Some Al Ahly legends who have put their team in the top spot have already retired from active football.

Al Ahly legends
Ahly's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the CAF Super Cup football match between Egypt Al-Ahly and Morocco's Berkane on 28th May 2021. Photo by AFP.
Source: Getty Images

Winning the CAF African club of the 20th Century accolade is attributable to the current and retired players. The Al Ahly legends who put their club on the top spot include Hossam Hassan and Mohamed Sherif, the current club captain.

Al Ahly

Al Ahly (the National Club) or Nadi El Watanniyah (Club of Patriotism) plays in the top League in Egypt and is the current reigning champ in the country. Based on the trophies won, they are the most successful club domestically and in Africa. Here are more details about the team:

Name

Al Ahly Sporting Club

Alias

Nadi El Watanniyah (Club of Patriotism)

Founded

24 April 1907

Stadium

Cairo International Stadium

President

Mahmoud El Khatib

Coach

Marcel Koller

Captain

Mohamed El-Shenawy

League

Egyptian Premier League

Socials

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, Website

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Al Ahly legends

The league's leading team has had some great players since its inception in 1911. This article highlights the club's ten greatest players, the number of goals they scored, and their honours.

10. Abdallah Said

Top 10 all-time Al Ahly greats
Abdallah Said of Egypt during the International Friendly match between them and Portugal at the Letzigrund Stadium on 23rd March 2018, in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo by Erwin Spek.
Source: Getty Images

After leaving his hometown team, Ahmed joined the Nadi El Watanniyah in 2011. During his tenure (2011-2018), he scored 51 goals. This legend is currently the captain of Pyramids FC. His accomplishments include:

  • 1X Top Scorer
  • 1X Egyptian Cup winner
  • 4X Domestic Champion
  • 2X Egyptian Super Cup winner
  • 2X CAF Champions League winner
  • 2X CAF Super Cup winner
  • 1X CAF Confederation winner

9. Mohamed Sherif

At 26, Sherif is the youngest Al Ahly legend. He is the striker of the team. Since joining Nadi El Watanniyah in January 2018, he has scored 44 goals for his team in 102 matches. Moreover, he has won the following accolades:

  • 2X Top Scorer
  • 2X Domestic Champion
  • 1X CAF Champions League winner
  • 2X CAF Super Cup winner

8. Momen Zakaria

Greats for The Nadi El Watanniyah
Momen Zakaria of Al Ahly during the friendly match between Al Ahly and AS Roma on 20th May 2016, in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Chris Whiteoak.
Source: Getty Images

The former winger played for Al Ahly between 2015 and 2019, during which time they were the reigning Domestic champs with 30 goals from him. Zakaria was forced to retire in 2020 following an ALS diagnosis, which left him in a wheelchair. Other achievements he had were:

  • 5X Domestic Champion
  • 2X Egyptian Super Cup winner
  • 3X Egyptian Cup winner

7. Ahmed Hassan

The Nadi El Watanniyah
Enner Valencia (L) of Fenerbahce in action against Ahmed Hassan (93) of Alanyaspor during their Turkish Super Lig match at Ulker Stadium in Istanbul on 18th September 2022. Photo: Ali Atmaca.
Source: Getty Images

He is a retired midfielder who was crowned AFCON's Best Player in 2006 and 2010. He scored only 14 goals in three years at Cairo but managed to get honours like:

  • 4X Africa Cup winner
  • 3X Domestic Champion
  • 2X Egyptian Super Cup winner
  • 1X Egyptian Cup winner
  • 1X CAF Super Cup winner

6. Emad Meteb

Emad scored 75 goals for Al Ahly between 2003 and 2018 when he stepped back from active playing. He was named Africa's finest striker in 2005 and even won more honours like:

  • 1X Top Scorer
  • 11X Domestic Champion
  • 3X Africa Cup winner
  • 3X Egyptian Cup winner
  • 5X CAF Champions League winner
  • 1X CAF Confederation winner

5. Mohammed Barakat

Al Ahly legends: Top 10 all-time greats for The Nadi El Watanniyah
Morocco's Mohammed El Yaagoubi (L) and Mohamed Barakat of Egypt jump for the ball during their Group A African Nations Cup match at Cairo Stadium on 24th January 2006. Photo: ISSOUF SANOGO.
Source: Getty Images

Nicknamed "The Mercurial" for his achievements and talents, Barakat scored 41 goals for Al Ahly between 2004 and 2013. He is ranked among the most talented players in Africa. He was the 2005 BBC African Footballer of the Year and Egyptian Player of the year in 2002 and 2009. Other achievements from him are:

  • 1X Africa Cup winner
  • 8X Domestic Champion
  • 3X Egyptian Cup winner
  • 4X Egyptian Super Cup winner
  • 5X CAF Champions League winner

4. Wael Gomaa

Al Ahly legends: Top 10 all-time greats
Wael Gomaa of Egypt (L) attempts to take the ball away from Morocco's Abdelali Bou Saboun during their Group A African Nations match at Cairo Stadium on 24th January 2006. Photo: KHALED DESUKI.
Source: Getty Images

Regarded as one of the best African defenders, Gomaa was part of the Al Ahly squad from 2001 to 2014. Of the 26 trophies he won for the team, some include:

  • 1X CAF Confederation Cup winner
  • 5X CAF Super Cup winner
  • 3X Africa Cup winner
  • 8X Domestic Champion
  • 6X Egyptian Super Cup winner
  • 3X Egyptian Cup winner

3. Mohammed Aboutrika

Al Ahly: Top 10 all-time greats for The Nadi El Watanniyah
Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika at the 2015 African Cup of Nations trophy delivery in Bata on 8th February 2015. Photo by Mohamed Hossam.
Source: Twitter

Aboutrika is a 43-year-old retired forward who was active between 2004-2013. During his stint, he scored a massive 156 goals. However, he came under scrutiny for some homophobic remarks and terrorist affiliations towards the end of his career. His achievements include:

  • 2X Top Scorer
  • 7X Domestic Champion
  • 2X Africa Cup winner
  • 2X Egyptian Cup winner
  • 5X CAF Champions League winner
  • 4X Egyptian Supper Cup winner
  • 1X CAF Super Cup winner

2. Essam El-Hadary

Top 10 Al Ahly legends
Egypt's national football team goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary seated on a plane carrying the team to attend the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Photo by AFP.
Source: Getty Images

"The Dam" was his nickname for his goalkeeping capabilities. He currently serves as the national team's goalkeeping coach. El Hadary spent 12 years with Al Ahly, with whom he won the following accolades:

  • 8X Egyptian Premier League titles
  • 4X Egypt Cups
  • 4X Egyptian Super Cups
  • 4X CAF Champions League titles
  • 3X CAF Super Cups

1. Hossam Hassan

The striker-turned-coach is Egypt's all-time top scorer (83 goals in 176 appearances) and was an undisputed starter. He stayed at Al Ahly for 16 years, scoring 109 goals. He is one of the best African football players in history. Here are some of his honours:

  • 3X Top Scorer
  • 3X Africa Cup winner
  • 14X Domestic Champion
  • 5X Egyptian Cup winner
  • 2X CAF Champions League winner
  • 2X Egyptian Super Cup winner
Top 10 all-time greats for The Nadi El Watanniyah
Egyptian forward Hossam Hassan (L) runs away from Senegal's Souleymane Camara during the semi-final football game in Cairo on 7th February 2006. PHOTO: Karim Jaafar
Source: Getty Images

Al Ahly legend defenders

The following players did not score as many goals as their counterparts, but they are legends for preventing their team from losing. These are the best defenders in the history of the club:

  • Ahmed Fathy
  • Emad El-Nahhas
  • Rami Rabia
  • Saad Samir
  • Shady Mohammed

How many times has Al Ahly won the Egyptian League?

The team holds the record for all Egyptian domestic leagues, including the Premier, Domestic, Super, Sultan Hussein, and Cairo Leagues.

They have topped the Premier League 42 times, with their rivals, Zamalek, coming in second with 14 wins. They have been runners-up 14 times and placed third only four times.

Top 10 all-timeAl Ahly legends
Al Ahly fans cheer their team on during a football match against Morocco's Raja Club Athletic (Raja Casablanca). Photo: Tnani Badreddine.
Source: Getty Images

How many times has Al Ahly won the Champions League?

Internationally, the club has the highest number of wins, with ten CAF Champions League titles and a top-tier competition of the best African clubs; Al Ahly is the best African football team. They are also the record holders for the CAF African Cup (4) and CAF Super Cup (8).

Is Al Ahly the most successful club?

On top of being at the top of their domestic League, the Nadi El Watanniyah also hold records for African Football Confederation. They are also the richest African club, with a net worth of $28 million. It is fair to call them the most successful African club.

Top 10 all-time legends at Al Ahly
The Pharaohs have produced exceptional players over the years. Photo: Empics Sport, Liewig Christian, Khaled Desouki, Issouf Sanogo (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The Al Ahly legends featured in this article have helped put the club at the top spot in Egypt and Africa because of their talent, versatility and dedication. Their past and present performance indicate a bright future for the club, with their rivals keeping them on their toes.

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Authors
Bertha Wanjiku photo
Bertha Wanjiku