Ian Hawkey

Striker will be hoping to one day match hero status of Algeria's Ismael Bennacer at city rivals, and potential final opponents in Saudi Arabia, AC Milan

A closer look at the best talent from the region making waves at club and international level

Atlas Lions No 10 has emerged as a key player for both Spanish club and his national team

Egypt's Al Ahly await the winners of Intercontinental Cup clash in Qatar

Five of the region's top teams to compete in revamped tournament in the US next summer

The likes of Morocco, Algeria and Libya have been snapping up dual-nationality players from Europe with the carrot of major tournament game-time

Son of former NBA player Michael Ray Richardson earmarked for a major role in Morocco’s next generation of World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations aspirants

An extra 2,000 police and private security officers will patrol Stade de France and be working across capital

Winger Marwan Al Sahafi and midfielder Faisal Al Ghamdi are plying their trade at Beerschot after temporary moves from SPL side Al Ittihad

Marcel Koller's Ahly side have a formidable record at home and in knockout situations

Several Green Falcons players have had limited game-time at club level and now must raise their performances in crucial clash against Bahrain

In-form Eintracht Frankfurt forward reports for international duty days after putting Bayern Munich to the sword

Forced to relocate to Saudi Arabia, the national team nevertheless sit top of their qualifying group - aided in no small part by their neighbours in the Maghreb and the Middle East

Just days after playing his part in French club's famous victory over Real Madrid, the winger joins up with Atlas Lions for the first time

International teammates set to go head-to-head as Egypt's great rivals battle for silverware in Riyadh