Some positions can easily be filled when a player leaves, with another stepping in to continue the team’s progress. Others, however, can turn into a long-term crisis when their star player departs.

That is exactly what happened to Zamalek after Mohamed Abdelshafy left, and a similar scenario now appears to be unfolding at Al Ahly following the end of the Ali Maaloul era.

The pattern is strikingly similar: a left-back establishes himself for years, provides defensive and attacking stability, and then leaves. The club begins a long search involving new signings, injuries and temporary solutions until the position starts to feel almost "cursed."

Abdelshafy Leaves and Zamalek Enters the Cycle

When Mohamed Abdelshafy left Zamalek for Saudi club Al Ahli in 2014, he left a significant void that the Egyptian giants struggled to fill.

Zamalek subsequently tried several players at left-back, including Ahmed Samir, Sherif Alaa, Mohamed Adel Gomaa, Ali Fathy, Mohamed Nassef, Moayad Al-Ajan and Bahaa Magdy.

But the problem was not limited to recruitment.

The club was also forced at different times to use players outside their natural positions, including Hamada Tolba, Islam Gamal, Maarouf Youssef and Ramzi Khaled. Abdullah Gomaa was eventually converted into a left-back.

The situation became particularly unusual when midfielder Maarouf Youssef played as a left-back in major matches, including the CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Many names passed through the position, but the stability Abdelshafy had provided remained difficult to replace until Ahmed Fathy began to emerge, followed by Abdelshafy’s return to Zamalek in 2019.

Maaloul Leaves and Al Ahly Faces a Similar Problem

Years later, a similar picture emerged at Al Ahly.

Ali Maaloul’s Achilles tendon injury against Esperance in May 2024 became an important turning point before his spell with the club eventually came to an end.

Kareem El-Debes was already part of the squad, but he struggled to establish himself consistently as the undisputed first-choice left-back and also suffered injuries that interrupted his playing time.

Al Ahly Turns to Multiple Solutions

As the problem continued, Al Ahly tried several alternatives on the left side.

Kareem Fouad was used at left-back despite it not being his natural position. Omar Kamal Abdelwahid also featured there, while midfielder Ahmed Nabil Kouka was deployed in the position despite normally operating in midfield.

Even central defender Mostafa El-Ash found himself playing as a left-back in some matches.

New Signings and More Injuries

Al Ahly attempted to solve the problem by signing Moroccan defender Yahia Attiyat Allah, but he was also affected by injury.

Kareem El-Debes suffered injuries during periods when the team needed him, adding further uncertainty to the position.

The club later brought back Mohamed Shokry before signing Moroccan defender Youssef Belammri in another attempt to establish a new left flank.

However, the crisis returned when Belammri suffered an ACL injury, forcing Al Ahly to move quickly and sign Tawfik Mohamed.

As a result, several players have passed through Al Ahly’s left-back position since the beginning of the Maaloul crisis, including Kareem El-Debes, Kareem Fouad, Omar Kamal, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Ahmed Nabil Kouka, Mostafa El-Ash, Mohamed Shokry and Youssef Belammri, before the arrival of Tawfik Mohamed.

The Problem Is Not a Lack of Players

The issue has never simply been a shortage of names, whether at Zamalek or Al Ahly.

Abdelshafy and Maaloul turned the left-back position into much more than just a spot on the pitch. Both players became key figures in attacking build-up, defensive coverage and creating an extra dimension for their teams over many years.

That is why replacing them requires far more than simply signing another player.

Can Tawfik Mohamed End the Maaloul Curse?

The big question now is: Can Tawfik Mohamed finally end Al Ahly’s left-back curse after Ali Maaloul, or will the club repeat Zamalek’s long search for a replacement after Mohamed Abdelshafy?

The answer will not depend on the player’s name alone. It will depend on his ability to provide consistency, stability and the right balance between defensive responsibilities and attacking contributions.

Why is Al Ahly struggling at left-back?

The club has struggled to find a consistent replacement for Ali Maaloul, while injuries and positional experiments have complicated the situation.

Who are Al Ahly’s main left-back options?

Among the players used or considered for the position are Tawfik Mohamed, Kareem Fouad, Kareem El-Debes and Ahmed Nabil Kouka.

Did Zamalek face a similar problem?

Yes. Zamalek went through several left-back options after Mohamed Abdelshafy left before eventually finding greater stability.

Can Tawfik Mohamed solve Al Ahly’s problem?

He represents a natural option for the position, but his ability to provide long-term consistency will determine whether the crisis finally ends.