Former Al Ahly and Egyptian national team star, Mokhtar Mokhtar, emphasized the need for strategic squad rotation ahead of the Red Devils’ upcoming match against Young Africans of Tanzania in the CAF Champions League, highlighting the distinct tactical demands compared to domestic league encounters.
Speaking in a televised interview, Mokhtar urged Al Ahly’s head coach, Marcel Koller, to implement a rotation policy effectively, recognizing its significance in managing the team’s demanding fixture schedule.
“The match against Young Africans will require a different approach, and I hope Marcel Koller adopts a rotation strategy wisely because it’s essential,” Mokhtar stated, underlining the importance of utilizing the depth of Al Ahly’s squad effectively.
While acknowledging the quality of Al Ahly’s current roster, Mokhtar stressed the necessity of introducing fresh faces in certain matches, citing the example of Mustafa Shobier, whom he believes should have seen more game time in previous seasons.
“In the upcoming fixture, players like Hussein El-Shahat and Percy Tau must feature prominently. This is an African encounter with implications for topping the group standings,” Mokhtar asserted, emphasizing the significance of securing maximum points in continental competitions.
Concluding his remarks, Mokhtar also offered insights into individual player performances, praising the abilities of Omar Kamal Abdel Wahed while suggesting positional adjustments for optimal impact.
“Omar Kamal Abdel Wahed is a talented player, but his performance at left-back against Beladiya Al-Mahalla was below par. If deployed on the right flank, he could excel even further,” Mokhtar concluded, highlighting the importance of tactical adaptability in maximizing player potential.