Player Profile: Shehab El-Din Ahmed

Designed by Mohaned Ghanem

Name: Shehab El-Din Ahmed
Date of Birth: August 22, 1990
Height: 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Nationality: Egyptian
Current Club: Petrojet
Previous Club(s): Al Ahly, Tala’a El-Gaish
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Foot: Right

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Shehab El-Din Ahmed is most often remembered by his last minute goal against the Tripoli based Al-Ittihad in the 2010 CAF Champions League. This strike ensured Al Ahly’s qualification to the group stage Champions League – avoiding penalties, after losing 2-0 in the first leg in Libya. His celebration alone, following the goal, earned him the nickname “The Butcher” among Ahly fanatics. Shehab thrives in the modern defensive midfielder position, and is always a threat from distance.

Background

After pulling through the ranks of Al Ahly’s academy, he made his debut for the first team in 2009 against Tersana (Arsenal), under the reign of current coach Hossam El Badry. Since then, he has made almost 50 appearances with the first team, scoring 4 spectacular goals. Shehab rarely played under the helm of Portuguese coach Manual Jose, who has always been known to rely on veterans instead of injecting fresh blood into his first team. Since Ghaly’s departure, Shehab has been a regular starter under Mohamed Youssef together with Hossam Ashour forming Ahly’s centre midfield duo.

Shehab was also a regular starter for Miroslav Soukup’s Egyptian squad that lost to Costa Rica in the round of 16 at the 2009 U20 World Cup in Egypt. He never featured in the 2011 edition but played in each match at the CAF U23 Championship which saw Egypt qualify to  summer’s Olympics.

He has failed to show other signs of brilliance since his massive winner Tripoli’s Al-Ittihad and due to some defensive frailties together with the fact that Ahly’s midfield has been lacking on both defensive and offensive fronts; he could be dropped for more promising talents like Trezeguet and new signing Ahmed Khairy who is yet to return from injury.

Style of Play

Shehab is a defensive midfielder who due to his agility and speed likes to surge forwards on attacking runs to support the strikers. He has decent passing range that helps when on counter attacks. He has been a promising talent who is yet to evolve more and show more grit in fighting for his place in Ahly’s midfield or earning his national debut.

– Profile last updated on June 5, 2015

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Pros:

– Accurate short passes.
– Composure on the ball.
– Great long range shots.

Cons:

– Lacks physical strength.
– Still lacks experience.
– Low stamina.

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