Sami El-Sheshini, football director of National Bank of Egypt, has praised the start made by Al Ahly under Moroccan coach Hicham Amouta, stressing that the team’s positive opening has given the players and supporters significant confidence ahead of the rest of the season. ⚽🔴🔥
El-Sheshini believes that the importance of Al Ahly’s start is not limited to the number of points collected, but also lies in the way the team achieved its results, particularly after turning a two-goal deficit against Pharco into a victory before following it with another positive result against a strong opponent.
The comments come as Al Ahly attempt to establish a new identity under Amouta, relying on a group of players capable of implementing the coach’s ideas and achieving a balance between attacking strength and discipline on the pitch.
Al Ahly Start Strongly Under Amouta
Sami El-Sheshini confirmed that Al Ahly have made an impressive start under Hicham Amouta, explaining that the scenario of the Pharco match had a major impact on the team’s mentality.
He pointed out that falling two goals behind and then managing to come back and win, despite missing a penalty during the match, represents a major psychological boost for any team, particularly at the beginning of a season.
Such comebacks give players greater belief in their ability to recover in difficult matches while also helping the coaching staff build a competitive mentality within the squad. 🏆
Six Points Give Al Ahly Confidence
El-Sheshini noted that collecting six points at the beginning of Al Ahly’s campaign under Amouta is an important factor in raising morale.
The first comeback victory gives the players confidence, while another win against a major opponent confirms that the team is capable of dealing with different match scenarios.
Positive early-season results also help reduce pressure around the coaching staff and give the players more room to focus on improving performances rather than dealing with early crises.
According to El-Sheshini, the impact of this strong start is not limited to the players but also extends to Al Ahly supporters, who receive positive indications regarding the team’s development during the coming stage.
Bencharki Is Improving
El-Sheshini also discussed Moroccan Achraf Bencharki, confirming that the player’s level has been improving recently.
Bencharki represents an important attacking option for Al Ahly, and an increase in his level can provide the team with additional solutions against opposition defenses, particularly in matches requiring a player capable of making a difference through individual skill or intelligent movement in attacking areas.
As the season continues and the team develops greater chemistry, Bencharki could become increasingly influential in the final third.
Imam Ashour’s Return Could Raise Expectations
The most notable part of Sami El-Sheshini’s comments concerned Imam Ashour, who is currently absent from Al Ahly, with the National Bank official emphasizing that the team is performing well despite his absence but that his return would provide another boost.
El-Sheshini described Imam Ashour as one of the best players in Egypt, highlighting his ability to appear in dangerous areas and make a difference within a very short period.
Ashour’s importance comes from his ability to perform several attacking roles, whether through movement from midfield, entering the penalty area or exploiting spaces in front of opposition defenses. ⭐
A Player Capable of Making a Difference in an Instant
One of Imam Ashour’s main strengths, according to El-Sheshini, is his ability to reach the penalty area at the right moment, making him an additional attacking threat even when he does not have the ball.
A player capable of arriving in the box from the second line gives the team a different attacking option and forces the opposition defense to monitor more than one player.
That is why Ashour’s return is highly anticipated within Al Ahly, particularly because the team already possesses a strong group of attacking players. Adding a player with these characteristics could therefore increase the variety of solutions available around goal.
Amouta Faces the Task of Building a Complete Team
Despite the praise surrounding the start, Hicham Amouta’s real challenge will be maintaining the team’s level over a longer period.
The season will not be decided in the opening rounds. Al Ahly will need to maintain stability and focus as the number of matches increases and the competitions become more demanding.
Amouta will also have to manage competition between players, particularly once absent members return and the number of available options increases in different positions.
Al Ahly Between Results and Performance Development
From a psychological perspective, the strong start represents an important positive, but the team will also need to improve certain technical details as the season progresses.
Victories build confidence, while improved performances provide the foundation needed to remain competitive when matches become more difficult.
For that reason, Imam Ashour’s return and Bencharki’s improving form, combined with the continued strong performances of the current group, could provide Amouta with more tools to build a balanced team capable of handling different match scenarios.
Imam Ashour’s Return Could Change the Equation
Once Imam Ashour returns to full fitness, the coaching staff will have another option to use according to the nature of each match and opponent.
His return could allow certain roles in midfield to change while adding greater movement and attacking speed, alongside an increased ability to reach the penalty area.
Therefore, Ashour’s return would not simply mean bringing back an absent player. It could also become an addition capable of influencing the team’s structure and approach to different matches.
✨ Al Ahly have started their campaign under Hicham Amouta in a way that gives supporters plenty of optimism, while Sami El-Sheshini believes Imam Ashour’s return, combined with Achraf Bencharki’s improving form, could raise the team’s quality and expand its attacking options during the coming period.
📢 Do you agree with Sami El-Sheshini that Imam Ashour’s return will give Al Ahly additional strength? Can Amouta maintain the team’s strong start throughout the season? Share your opinion. ⚽🔴🔥
