Hat-Trick hero Wessam Abou Ali credits Al Ahly team-mates for heroics
Striker Wessam Abou Ali has credited his Al Ahly team-mates for their untiring efforts that helped him to score three goals in their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League calsh over the weekend.
The Palestinian attacker was the star of the show, netting a stunning hat-trick in a commanding 6-1 victory over Algerian side CR Belouizdad in their Group C match in Cairo on Sunday.
Abou Ali’s treble not only highlighted his striking prowess but also propelled the defending champions to the top of Group C at the halfway stage of the competition.
The win marks the biggest scoreline of this season's group stage and reinforces Al Ahly’s ambitions to retain their continental title.
Reflecting on his first TotalEnergies CAF Champions League hat-trick, Abou Ali said, “This is my second hat-trick with Al Ahly, but my first in Africa. It feels special, especially as it coincides with my parents' 29th wedding anniversary. The first thing I’ll do is video call them to celebrate.”
The Palestinian forward credited his teammates for their role, adding, “The team helps me score goals; they give me the ball when I draw fouls and put me in great positions.”
Abou Ali's goals were pivotal in overturning an early deficit after Aimen Mahious gave Belouizdad a surprise lead.
“The first half was tough. We conceded due to mistakes, but we equalized at the right moment. In the second half, we were like beasts on the field,” said Abou Ali, who celebrated his second goal with teammate Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ Abdel Moneim, explaining, “Kahraba has always supported me and predicted I would score from a free kick.”
The emphatic result leaves Al Ahly on seven points, two clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who drew 1-1 with Stade d’Abidjan in their Matchday 3 encounter last week.
Abou Ali emphasized the importance of the victory, stating, “We trained hard after our Intercontinental Cup disappointment. This win is a good gain for the team, but we must focus on the next matches.”
Abou Ali’s heroics were not just personal but symbolic of Al Ahly’s hunger for success. “Every goal is a translation of the team’s effort,” he remarked, while expressing his gratitude for his signed match ball, a keepsake he plans to cherish forever.
As Al Ahly look ahead to the second half of the group stage, Abu Ali's message was clear: “The future requires focus and hard work, but with God’s will, the best is yet to come.”