Ben Romdhane reveals Al Ahly beach ordeal was ‘worst scene’ of his life

Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane says he endured a difficult season at Al Ahly and has described how team-mates Karim Fouad and Hussein El Shahat nearly drowned during a squad training camp in Tunisia.

The Al Shamal midfielder said Yasser Ibrahim intervened to save the pair after El Shahat began reciting the Shahada, calling the incident the worst scene he had ever witnessed.

“During Al Ahly’s training camp in Tunisia, we were given a day off and went to the beach,” Ben Romdhane told Al Kass.

“Karim Fouad and Hussein El Shahat almost drowned. El Shahat was reciting the Shahada at that moment. Thankfully, Yasser Ibrahim intervened and saved both players. That was the worst scene I have seen in my life.”

Ben Romdhane joined Al Ahly from Hungarian club Ferencvarosi last season but left after one campaign to sign for Al Shamal in Qatar.

Reflecting on his time with the Egyptian club, the Tunisia international said he had not been given the full opportunity to establish himself.

“I did not get my full chance at Al Ahly. I should have performed better,” he said.

“It was a difficult year for the club, the fans and the administration. They were not used to that, and afterwards they began correcting the course.”

The 29-year-old added that Al Ahly’s management handled his move to Al Shamal professionally.

“Al Ahly’s administration is professional and they made my transfer to Al Shamal easy. I wish them success,” he said.

Ben Romdhane said he chose Al Shamal because he was convinced by the club’s plans and its rapid development.

“I chose Al Shamal because the team is improving quickly, which means a great deal of work is being done,” he said.

“The club has major ambitions and has signed top players. My aim was to become part of this project, which I believed in.”

He also explained that the ambition of Al Ahly, rather than money, was the main reason he returned from Europe.

“When I received Al Ahly’s offer, the first things I thought about were the project and the reaction of the Esperance fans,” he said. “It was not about money, because that is a matter of fate and provision.

“My return from Europe was for Al Ahly because it is a big club that competes for trophies and had a sporting project, especially its participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.”

Ben Romdhane said he had not been choosing between simultaneous offers from Al Ahly and Esperance de Tunis, adding that he did not follow claims made on social media but respected the supporters.

He said Nabil Maaloul had advised him to join a major club with strong ambitions and a desire to win titles, although the coach had not asked him to leave Esperance de Tunis.

Ben Romdhane made 36 appearances for Al Ahly, scoring two goals and providing four assists.