Al Ahly of Egypt is the world’s most decorated football club in history with 143 trophies from national, international competitions and Founded in April of 1907.
This total is made up of 42 national league titles, 37 Egypt Cup titles and 11 titles from the Egyptian Super Cup. These statistics are impressive, but it is the 10 CAF Champions League titles that stand out, a feat that no other African football club has been able to emulate. Remarkably, the club has never been relegated to the Egyptian Second Division, a testament to its consistent success throughout the years.
To achieve such a long standing record of accomplishments is no easy feat, as it requires a combination of effort and dedication. This has been a pillar of what makes Al Ahly such a formidable team, as some of its most famous footballers have been crucial to the club’s success.
Whether it be Mohamed El-Shenawy, a goalkeeper who made 117 appearances for the club from 2007 to 2016, or Mohamed Abou-Treika, a midfielder who helped the club win 3 CAF Champions League titles between 2012 and 2017, these footballers have been integral to such a legendary record.
Enjoying a level of popularity and support unheard of in the history of the African game, Al Ahly are a source of great pride to the Egyptian people. As recently as February 2019, the club was set to receive a Guinness World Record for the “largest attendance at a single game”, later confirmed with a total of 120,000 spectators. This was a record that celebrated not just the achievements of the club, but also the unwavering dedication of the fans.
With 143 trophies, Al Ahly remain the most decorated football club in the world, showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. With a competitive and highly skilled team, shrewd management and a passionate fanbase, the future for Al Ahly is no doubt one of prosperity and glory.
Al Ahly Sports Club, also known as the Club of the Century, is a multi-sports club that plays a vital role in African and international sports life. It is a household name across Africa and considered to be the most successful club of the continent. The club is also considered to have some of the most loyal fans in the world.
Starting out in 1907, up to now, Al Ahly has grown to become a cultural institution in the hearts of many across African nations. It is no doubt the most successful sports club in Africa, with 43 official African titles – including 5 African Champions League titles, 8 African Super Cup titles, and 11 African Confederation Cup titles.
The club’s resilience and strength comes from the unwavering commitment and passion of its loyal fans. During its existence, the club has managed to mobilise a vast and committed fan base across Africa, giving it a place at the forefront of African sports.
Although there are plenty of other African football clubs that can compare in popularity, Al Ahly enjoys the platform and recognition it has received from its fan base in recent years, which has grown to over 20 million. It is no doubt the team has seen tremendous success in global football, having reached the FIFA Club World Cup a record six times, with two runner-up finishes, and also winning the 1996 CAF Confederation Cup.
These triumphs cannot be achieved without the amazing contributions and hard work of its players. Starting out with just a handful of talented players, Al Ahly has grown to become a breeding ground for some of the world’s most promising players. Among its ranks has been a mixture of talented African players, many of whom have proudly represented their nations at World Cup tournaments, as well as in international club competitions.
Neither the players nor the club’s loyalty base should be overlooked when discussing Al Ahly successes. Though its official name in English is ‘the National’ – due to the contribution of the Royal Egyptian family – it is best known affectionately in Egyptian and African language as ‘Kebt Al Ahly’ (‘jewel of Al Ahly’).
Al Ahly’s Unbeatable League Run
Football history is full of landmark moments throughout the years, moments that have shaped the sport into something that is enjoyed by millions all over the world today. One of the most remarkable achievements in football history is the Al Ahly’s 71-match unbeaten streak in the 2004-2007 Egyptian Premier League.
This jaw-dropping streak made its way into the list of the longest unbeaten runs in football history, a record that has yet to be beaten. This is not only an incredible feat for Al Ahly, but for the entire country of Egypt. Al Ahly’s success is a reflection of the nation’s unyielding spirit, fortitude, and determination.
During this two-and-a-half year period, Al Ahly was led by managers Manuel Jose and Mahmoud El-Gohary. The team was able to pull off this incredible feat with a mix of experienced veterans and young talented players. Former veterans such as Mohamed Aboutrika, Emad Moteab, Magdi Abdelghani, and Ahmed Hassan showed their incredible leadership during this period.
In addition, the team was also composed of some of the brightest Egyptian talents around that time – names such as Khalid Boutaib, Shikabala, Mido, and Mohamed Barakat, who had just started their career as senior players for Al Ahly. With such an incredibly talented squad, it was no surprise that Al Ahly was able to create such a strong run of form.
Under the leadership of Jose and El-Gohary, Al Ahly was able to dominate the Premier League in their 71 unbeaten games, with their closest rivals, Ismaily, trailing behind them by a massive 27 points in the 2004-2005 season.
The team had a record of 46 wins, 25 draws, and 0 losses, with the majority of those wins coming from their spectacular home form at Cairo Stadium. As well as the Premier League, Al Ahly also had a strong performance at the African Cup of Nations, where they reached the final in 2006, but were unable to clinch the title.
Ahly’s football legends
Ahly Football Club is one of the most successful football teams in history and has a rich legacy of legends. The Egyptian club has a long-standing history of producing exceptional players on the international and African stages.
Ahly’s football legends have achieved an extraordinary number of successes over the years, ranging from African continent championships to all-star European leagues, and also have played a critical role in the development of Egyptian football as a whole.
The most recognizable of Al Al Ahly’s all-time great soccer legends is surely three-time African Footballer of the Year Mohamed Aboutrika, who won eight Egyptian Premier League titles, two African Champions Leagues and three Super Cups in just six years. Mahmoud Al Khatib, the legendary forward, won five national championship titles and was known for his incredible tallies of embarrassing opponents. He is still the top scorer in the history of Al Ahly.
The club is also home to some of Egypt’s top football stars, like Ahmed Naji and Hani Ramzy, both of whom have been named the African Footballer of the Year. Naji is an Ahly legend and was the first African player to be named the Asia’s Player of the Tournament at the 2021 Asian Champions League. Ramzy is a talented defender who played a key role in Egypt’s win in the 2009 Africa Cup of Nations. He is also the most capped player in Ahly’s history.
Ahly’s football legends extend to other African football nations with the likes of iconic Cameroonian Jean Manga Onguene, who was named African Player of the Year in 1993 and has enjoyed stellar spells with KV Mechelen and CF Amazulu as well as in Algeria, Tunisia, and France. Another iconic figure is former Ahly coach Mahmoud El Gohary, who holds the record for longest tenure as manager.
A club can never be considered a legend without its loyal fans, and Ahly has no shortage of supporters. During its many years of successes, the club’s faithful-known in the Egyptian championship as “the red devils”-have been.
Al Ahly is a true powerhouse in the world of football, boasting an impressive 143 trophies from national and international competitions. There is no doubt that Al Ahly is the most decorated football club in the world – a true testament to the club’s dedication and passion for the sport.
