DUBAI // Ahmed Mahmoud is excited about linking up with former Al Wasl teammate Majed Naser, and challenging him and Saif Yousuf for a place in the Al Ahli team after his move to the Arabian Gulf League leaders earlier this week.
In one of the most prominent deals of this transfer window, worth Dh10 million according to some reports, Mahmoud, Wasl’s No 1 goalkeeper, has followed Naser, who left the Zabeel club for the Rashid Stadium at the start of last season.
Naser is currently recuperating after injuring his Achilles in the opening league game of the season, celebrating Ahli’s 93rd-minute winner against Dubai with his trademark backflips.
In his absence, Yousuf has done an impressive job as Ahli’s first choice and Mahmoud expects a tough competition for starting spots between three of the country’s premier glovemen.
“Football is all about competition,” he told Ahli’s website. “We are part of a big club, a club with great potential and some of the best players in the country. So there has to be a strong competition for place. That is in the interest of the team.
“So I welcome that. This competition for places will serve to motivate me and help me perform at a greater level. And the presence of Naser and Yousuf will also benefit me a lot.”
Mahmoud also praised Yousuf’s performance for the Red Knights. The two have been competing for places through the age-group national teams and “Dida” – as Mahmoud is known – is looking forward to renewing that rivalry.
“Yousuf has done really well in the absence of Naser, taking up the responsibility admirably,” Mahmoud said.
“That is a measure of confidence and his great potential as a goalkeeper. We have played together in the Olympic team and I consider him one of the best goalkeepers in the league this season. Personally, I really admire his performance.”
Mahmoud, who moved to Wasl in 2011 from Al Shabab, is also a great admirer of the Ahli club as well, but needed some encouragement from his friend, Abdulaziz Haikal, before he agreed to switch sides.
“The chance of playing with Abdulaziz Haikal encouraged me to join Ahli,” said Mahmoud, who took the top-goalkeeper award at the 2011 GCC Under-23 Championships and helped UAE win the title.
“He told me all about the club, the team and how this move would be good for me. So I agreed to the deal.
“Now I am really proud to be playing for one of the biggest clubs in the UAE. It is a great confidence boost for me and encourages me to offer everything I have for the team and win titles with Ahli.”
Ahli are also trying to bring Mahmoud’s former Shabab teammate, Mohammed Ahmed, to the Rashid table.
They have made an offer to Al Ain for the national team centre-back. Dubai are also trying to secure his services on loan, along with Al Ain players Mohammed Abdulrahman and Mohammed Salem Al Saadi.
arizvi@thenational.ae
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