Ahmed Balah

• Full Name: Ahmed Balah
• Date of Birth: August 20, 1980
• Place of Birth: Tal El-Qadi, Dierb Negm, Sharqia, Egypt
• Age: 44 years old
• Height: 1.78 meters (5 feet 10 inches)
• Position: Striker
• Nationality: Egyptian
• Nickname: Ahmed "Agwal" – "The Goalkeeper Slayer"

Career Beginnings:

El-Sharqia Club:

• Ahmed Balah began his career at El-Sharqia Club in his hometown, where his impressive skills and physical attributes as a forward caught the attention of top Egyptian clubs. He was known for his speed and clinical finishing, making him an attractive prospect for bigger teams.

Al Ahly Club:

• In 1999, Ahmed Balah joined Al Ahly, one of Egypt and Africa’s most successful clubs. Initially, his appearances were limited, but he quickly established himself as a key player in the team's attack. His ability to score goals in difficult situations, combined with his quickness, made him a valuable asset.

Rise to Prominence with Al Ahly (2001–2005):

Under Manuel José:

• With the arrival of Manuel José as head coach in 2001, Balah’s career took off. He became a central part of the attack, forming a lethal trio with Khaled Bebo and Reda Shahat. This trio led Al Ahly to many victories, both domestically and in Africa.

• Domestic and African Achievements:
  Balah was part of the 2005 CAF Champions League winning team and helped secure multiple Egyptian League and Egyptian Cup titles.

• Egyptian League Top Scorer:
  In the 2002–2003 season, Balah won the Egyptian League Top Scorer title with 19 goals, despite missing many games due to injuries. This achievement cemented his status as one of Egypt’s top strikers.

Short Professional Stint in Turkey (2005–2007):

Konya Spor (2005–2007):

• In 2005, Balah moved to Turkey, joining Konya Spor. His time in Turkey didn’t meet expectations as he scored 15 goals in 30 matches, but struggled to fully adapt to the Turkish league.

Loan to Ankara Gucu (2006):

• In 2006, he was loaned to Ankara Gucu, where he played 13 matches and scored 3 goals. This loan stint didn’t yield significant results, but it provided Balah with new experiences in a different football culture.

Return to Al Ahly (2007–2010):

Comeback to the Red Devils:

• Balah returned to Al Ahly in 2007 after his time in Turkey. Despite changes in the team’s playing style, Balah remained a key figure in the attack, even though he faced some challenges with injuries and reduced playing time.

• Injuries and Setbacks:
  Balah faced several injuries during this period, which hampered his form. Despite these setbacks, he still played an important role in Al Ahly’s success.

Tough Season:

• In the 2009–2010 season, Balah’s appearances decreased, and he didn’t score any goals in the Egyptian League. This led to his announcement of leaving Al Ahly at the end of the season.

Later Career (2010–2014):

Smouha SC (2010–2011):

• Balah joined Smouha SC in 2010 after his departure from Al Ahly. He had a solid first season at the club, scoring 7 goals in 23 matches, and helped the team improve offensively in the league.

Enppi SC (2011–2012):

• In 2011, Balah moved to Enppi SC, but his time there was less successful. He played only 1 match and did not score any goals.

Al-Neft (2012):

• In 2012, Balah joined Al-Neft Club in Iraq but left the club without making any appearances.

Al-Wahdat (2013–2014):

• His final professional move was to Al-Wahdat in Jordan in 2013. However, after a brief period, he terminated his contract with the club in January 2014.

Achievements and Titles:

With Al Ahly:

• Egyptian League:
  • 2005
  • 2007
  • 2008
• Egyptian Cup:
  • 2001
  • 2003
  • 2007
• CAF Champions League:
  • 2001
  • 2005
  • 2008
• African Super Cup:
  • 2002
  • 2007
  • 2009
• Egyptian League Top Scorer:
  • 2002–2003 season (19 goals)

Tactical and Technical Analysis:

Technical Characteristics:

• Speed: Balah was known for his exceptional speed, which allowed him to outpace defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities.

• Aerial Ability: Despite his relatively short stature, Balah was dangerous in the air, scoring many goals from crosses.

• Off-the-Ball Movement: He was highly intelligent in his off-the-ball movement, positioning himself well to receive passes or exploit spaces in the defense.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Strengths:

  • Composure in front of goal
  • Ability to adapt to various playing styles
  • Impactful in big games and crucial moments

• Weaknesses:

  • Recurrent injuries that hampered his performance
  • Sometimes lacked clinical finishing in key moments, especially post his return to Al Ahly

Life After Retirement and Media Presence:

• After retiring, Ahmed Balah became a well-known personality in the Egyptian sports media landscape. He made several appearances in football talk shows and became a pundit, sharing his expertise on attacking play and football tactics.

• Coaching and Youth Development:
  Balah focused on coaching and worked with youth academies, where he shared his knowledge and experience with young aspiring strikers.

Conclusion:

Ahmed Balah remains one of the most notable forwards in the history of Al Ahly. Despite facing challenges during his career, his contributions to the club’s success, particularly in domestic and continental competitions, remain significant. His sharp footballing mind and goal-scoring instinct have left a lasting legacy in Egyptian football.