Al Ahly defender Tawfiq Mohamed faces uphill battle for starting spot under coach Ammouta

Al Ahly defender Tawfiq Mohamed is facing an uncertain battle for regular playing time after failing to feature for the Egyptian giants since the start of the new season.

The left-back joined Al Ahly during the most recent transfer window as the club sought to strengthen the position, with the deal completed just hours before the registration deadline.

Despite his arrival, Tawfiq has yet to make a single competitive appearance for the Cairo giants, raising questions over his current standing within Hussein Ammouta’s plans.

The Moroccan coach is understood to have concerns about the player’s defensive contribution and believes he still needs to improve his physical condition before being trusted with a regular role.

However, the decision to sign Tawfiq was not made against Ammouta’s wishes. Al Ahly were searching for an available option to strengthen the left-back position late in the transfer window, and Tawfiq was considered the best local candidate among the players available at the time.

With no suitable foreign player available among the club’s options before the registration deadline, Ammouta agreed to the signing.

The coach’s reservations have reportedly become clearer during training, where Tawfiq’s defensive weaknesses have been more noticeable.

Offensively, however, the player has impressed. He is regarded as a technically gifted full-back capable of taking on opponents, creating opportunities and delivering dangerous crosses into the box.

His attacking qualities are therefore not in question, but Ammouta wants greater discipline and improvement in the defensive side of his game before handing him a more prominent role.

The situation could see Karim Al-Dabis retain the left-back position in Al Ahly’s upcoming matches, with Tawfiq potentially having to wait longer for his competitive debut.

In the club’s most recent friendly, Tawfiq was used further forward on the wing, while Al-Dabis operated at left-back.

The tactical switch could provide Tawfiq with another route into the team, although his immediate challenge remains convincing Ammouta that he can meet the defensive demands of the left-back position.

For now, the Egyptian defender will have to continue working on the areas identified by the coaching staff while waiting for his opportunity to make his competitive debut for Al Ahly.