Full Name: Youssef Afifi
Current Club: Ceramica Cleopatra
Nationality: Egypt
Date of Birth: 2000 (23 years old)
Position: Left-back
Shirt Number: 23
Status: Available
Football Career
Early Career
Upbringing: Youssef Afifi grew up in Egypt, where he started playing football in local academies. He quickly showed excellent abilities in the left-back position.
Development in Academies: Afifi developed his defensive skills, focusing on positioning, reading the game, and stopping attacks. He worked hard to improve his performance in one-on-one situations and his understanding of defensive structures.
Joining Ceramica Cleopatra
Promotion to First Team: After impressing in the youth ranks, Youssef Afifi was promoted to the first team of Ceramica Cleopatra. His progression to the senior squad came after consistent performances in youth competitions.
Debut Match: He made his debut in the Egyptian Premier League during the 2019 season, quickly establishing himself as a reliable left-back for the team.
Growth in the First Team: Over time, Afifi became an integral part of Ceramica Cleopatra's defense, playing in a significant number of matches and gaining the trust of the coaching staff and teammates.
Role in the Team: Afifi is considered one of the key players in the defense due to his strong defensive skills, ability to deal with attackers, and his work on both wings in attack and defense.
Technical Skills
Aerial Duels
Youssef Afifi excels in aerial duels, particularly in defending crosses and set-pieces. His ability to win headers in both the defensive and attacking third of the field is one of his key strengths.
Defensive Positioning
Afifi is known for his excellent positioning on the field. He reads the game well, which allows him to anticipate attacking moves and place himself in the right areas to intercept or block crosses and shots.
Offensive Contributions
Despite being a left-back, Afifi has shown solid offensive capabilities. He contributes to counter-attacks and overlaps by delivering accurate crosses into the box.
His precise passing and the ability to make runs into advanced positions make him a versatile player.
Ball Recovery
Afifi is highly skilled in ball recovery. Whether in defensive situations or during high-press moments, he is adept at intercepting passes and winning tackles to regain possession for his team.
Defensive Coverage
Afifi excels at covering the left wing and closing down space. He has the agility and tactical awareness to shut down attacks on his side of the field, contributing to Ceramica Cleopatra's solid defense.
International Career
Egypt National Team
Although Afifi has not yet featured prominently for the senior Egypt national team, he is considered a potential candidate for future call-ups.
His defensive capabilities make him an ideal candidate for inclusion in Egypt's national team, especially in major tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations or World Cup qualifiers.
The national team's coaching staff has been monitoring his progress closely, and his continued strong performances at the club level could lead to international recognition in the near future.
Achievements with Ceramica Cleopatra
Egyptian Premier League
Afifi has participated in numerous games in the Egyptian Premier League, showcasing consistent performances in defense and contributing to his team's overall stability in the league.
Other Competitions
While Ceramica Cleopatra has not won many major titles in recent years, Afifi has played an important role in the team's progression in domestic competitions like the Egyptian Cup.
Continental Competitions
Afifi has not had significant exposure to continental tournaments yet, but he is a player that could make a difference in future continental competitions like the CAF Champions League if given the opportunity.
Future Goals and Aspirations
Competing for Domestic Titles
Afifi aspires to help Ceramica Cleopatra win major domestic titles such as the Egyptian Premier League and the Egyptian Cup. He aims to continue his development and contribute to the team’s success.
National Team Call-up
One of Afifi's long-term goals is to represent the Egyptian national team. He believes his defensive skills can add value to the national squad in major international tournaments.
Possible Move to Bigger Leagues
Given his potential, Afifi may seek a move to more competitive leagues in the future, either within the Arab region or in Europe. His ambition is to play at a higher level and challenge himself in top-tier leagues.
Conclusion
Youssef Afifi is a young and talented left-back currently playing for Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Premier League. He possesses strong defensive abilities, excellent positioning, and the capability to contribute offensively. While still early in his career, Afifi is expected to have a bright future both at the club and international level. His growth at Ceramica Cleopatra has earned him recognition, and he is seen as a player with immense potential for the future.
