Mercato, squad overhaul… Al Ahly’s four key projects for the 2026-2027 season

27.04.26 FT Premier League Egypt

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The Egyptian football powerhouse, Al Ahly, is enduring a very challenging 2025-2026 season.

The Cairo-based club exited the CAF Champions League as early as the quarter-finals, after losing to Espérance de Tunis on aggregate (4-2).

In the league, they currently sit in third place with 44 points, trailing leaders Zamalek by two points.

The Club of the Century in Africa is already looking ahead to the 2026-2027 campaign, having identified four major projects to reignite their winning machine.

A new sporting structure

Driven by chairman Mahmoud Al Khatib, Al Ahly is planning to implement a more efficient sporting structure.

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Several candidates are being considered to join this commission, including Tunisian Anis Boujelbane, a former club player and current coach of the Tunisian U23 national team.

This new technical commission will be tasked with defining a fresh sporting strategy and instilling greater discipline within the squad, following a season marred by several incidents and irregularities in 2025-2026.

The commission will also be responsible for scouting top talents across the continent to strengthen the professional team.

A blockbuster transfer window

The record title-holder in Africa is preparing for a massive recruitment drive in the upcoming transfer window.

The top priority will be the defense, which has been the team's weak link throughout the current campaign. In this regard, the club is considering bringing back former defender Mohamed Abdelmonem, who has missed the entire season due to a cruciate ligament injury.

The midfield will also be reinforced with fresh faces to compensate for the departure of Malian Aliou Dieng, who has signed with Spanish side Valencia. Several names are on Al Ahly’s shortlist, including Burkinabé Mohamed Zougrana, the defensive midfielder from MC Alger, and Akram Tawfik, currently playing for Qatari club Al-Shamal SC.

Up front, the club is ready to splash the cash on a striker capable of making fans forget about Palestinian Wessam Abou Ali, who has joined Columbus Crew.

An experienced coach

The Cairo giants are also on the hunt for a new head coach to replace Danish manager Jess Thorup, whose record has been deemed well below expectations.

In 32 matches across all competitions, the former Augsburg coach managed just 15 wins, alongside 9 draws and 8 defeats.

The club is reportedly eyeing a Portuguese coach, with several options already under consideration.

Trimming the squad

Several players have fallen short of expectations this 2025-2026 season, particularly some of the foreign signings, who have disappointed both in the league and in the CAF Champions League.

With Cape Verdean striker Ieltsin Camões already confirmed to leave, the club is also looking to offload Tunisian midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and Moroccan winger Achraf Bencherki, both of whom have failed to make a significant impact.

Additionally, a number of ageing players are expected to leave Al Ahly at the end of the current season as part of a comprehensive squad overhaul.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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