Al Ahly faces backlash over Mokoena overtures

Al Ahly have come under heavy criticism for allegedly making overtures on Bafana Bafana hero Teboho Mokoena. Media reports in Cairo suggest that the CAF Champions League holders are eyeing the Afcon star. However, it is unclear how the Reds would pursue the 27-year-old given the transfer window limitations.

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MOKOENA’S ISSUE AS REPORTED IN EGYPT MEDIA CIRCLES

KingFut website of Egypt quoted former goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir as having touched on Al Ahly’s reported interest in Mokoena. The report claims that the Cairo-based giants had opened talks with Mamelodi Sundowns. The South African was unable to independently verify these reports with the DStv Premiership champions.

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“The reports say Al Ahly are in negotiations for Mokoena, but the question is will they have time?” KingFut quoted Shobeir as having told Egyptian radio station called SportFM. “The registration deadline is today, so when did Al Ahly actually hold talks with Mokoena? Don’t get me wrong, he is a great player and he’s still 27.”

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WHY MOKOENA’S MOVE TO AL AHLY IS NOT A STRAIGHT-FORWARD MATTER

The pundit then took a dig at the Marcel Koller-coached team for having a bloated squad. Shobeir said: “But Al Ahly have got Marwan Ateya, Amr El-Sulya, Ahmed Nabil Kouka, Aliou Dieng, Emam Ashour, Karim Nedved, and Akram Tawfik in midfield. I think it’s unlikely that the club sign a player in the same position. Also, their foreign list is complete. Maybe the negotiations were for a potential deal in the summer but certainly not now.”

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PUNDIT TAKES A DIG AT EGYPTIAN PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS

Mokoena has generated interest following his spending displays at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Ivory Coast. He scored via a stupendous free-kick to seal South Africa’s 2-0 win over Morocco last week. The midfielder has also been influential for the Tshwane side, which won the African Football League (AFL) championship last November. The Pretoria-based outfit stunned Wydad Casablanca 3-2 over two legs in the final of the inaugural AFL edition.

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AL AHLY’S CONNECTION WITH SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALLERS

Al Ahly is home to South African forward Percy Tau. The Bafana Bafana star joined the Egyptian Premier League champions three years ago from Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. Phakamani Mahlambi was the other South African to have been on the books of the Club of the Century.