Ben Ahmed Kohili: MC Alger forward ready to face bigger expectations

Ben Ahmed Kohili’s rapid rise from Paradou AC prospect to one of Algeria’s most watched young forwards has brought a new challenge: proving he can thrive under the pressure at MC Alger.

The 21-year-old, born on 11 July 2005 in Ain Temouchent, is third in our ranking of 25 players to follow in the 2026/27 Ligue 1 algerienne season. The list is subjective and considers not only ability, but also potential, expected importance at club level and the role the campaign could play in each player’s development.

Until recently, Kohili was regarded mainly as one of the many promising players developed by Paradou AC. His status changed during the summer, when he scored five goals in four matches at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, finished as the tournament’s leading scorer and helped Algeria win the competition.

He then moved to MC Alger and opened his account for the club in Friday’s match against MB Rouissat.

That success has raised expectations. Kohili now arrives at the Mouloudia with greater attention and a reputation as a player capable of changing the course of a match. At Paradou, he benefited from an environment less exposed to the intense public scrutiny found at Algeria’s biggest clubs. At MC Alger, every performance will carry more weight.

His instinct, spontaneity and ability to operate in tight spaces remain his main strengths. Mourad Bounefouf, Paradou’s coordinator, recognised Kohili’s finishing ability from an early age and recalls a season at under-17 level in which the forward scored more than 40 goals.

Kohili does not need a long run-up to become dangerous. He can threaten in a crowded penalty area, with his back to goal or when he has only a moment to make a decision. His control, movement and finishing allow him to remain effective even when space is limited.

That quality has also made him versatile. Sofiane Benkhelifa, a coach and former trainer at USMA, Olympique Akbou and ES Setif, says Kohili has played both out wide and through the middle. His effectiveness depends less on a fixed position than on the areas in which he receives the ball: the closer he is to goal, the greater the value of his instincts.

Paradou helped develop his technique, but former coach Sofiene Hidoussi worked on the less visible aspects of his game. Kohili had to improve his movement without possession, his timing of runs, his ability to accelerate play with one or two touches and his understanding of how to create space for team-mates.

Azzedine Ait Djoudi, another former Paradou coach, has compared Kohili’s talent with that of Youcef Belaili, while stressing that the youngster still has much to prove. His individual skill is already evident; the next step is building the physical and tactical consistency needed to produce it regularly at senior level.

The move to MC Alger is therefore as much a change of surroundings as a change of club. Bounefouf says Kohili had also received a financially significant offer from MC Oran before choosing MC Alger.

His performances so far suggest he has adapted well, despite being only a month into the season. His impact at Taranto accelerated the process. His name was briefly discussed in connection with a possible Algeria senior call-up, but Brahim Hemdani decided not to expose him too early, despite knowing his qualities.

For Kohili, the immediate task is simpler: retain at MC Alger the freedom he showed at Paradou, and sustain it over an entire season as the attention around him grows.