Who is Ahmed Bahja?
The retired Moroccan footballer, Ahmed Bahja, was born on December 21, 1970. Throughout his career, he played for various clubs in Saudi Arabia and Morocco, beginning his professional journey at Kawkab Marrakech. He later joined Al-Hilal, a prominent Saudi club, and subsequently became a key player for the Saudi national team.
Ahmed Bahja achieved considerable success during his career, winning multiple championships and accolades. He played with Al-Nassr, where he notably scored a goal in the FIFA Club World Cup. After his contract with Al-Nassr ended, he moved on to compete in the Turkish league and also represented Al-Wasl in the UAE.
Following this series of transfers, Bahja returned to the first team he played for, Kawkab Marrakech, and took on coaching roles with the club as well as other teams.
Ahmed Bahja’s Professional Path
Ahmed Bahja had an extensive career across various clubs, detailed as follows:
- He began his professional career with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, playing from 1994 to 1995, where he scored 25 goals and secured two titles: the Crown Prince Cup and the Arab Club Championship.
- His tenure with Ittihad Jeddah lasted from 1996 to 1997, and he netted 48 goals during that time.
- While at Ittihad, he won several prestigious titles, including the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Cup, the Gulf Club Champions Cup, and the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup.
- After a one-season stint with Al-Wasl, where he struggled to adapt, he returned to Saudi Arabia.
- He joined Al-Nassr, participating in the FIFA Club World Cup held in Brazil, where he scored against Raja Casablanca.
- Afterward, he played for Al-Ahli in Libya for a brief period before moving on to Raja Casablanca and later joining Maghreb de Fes.
Ahmed Bahja’s Football Achievements
Throughout his career, Ahmed Bahja accumulated numerous accolades, with some of the most significant listed below:
- In 1997, he was awarded the Golden Shoe.
- He earned the title of Best Player in the Saudi league the same year.
- He was crowned as the top scorer in the Moroccan league, netting 14 goals in 1994.
- In 1996, he became the top scorer in the Qatar Cup, scoring 10 goals.
- Bahja was named the leading scorer in the Saudi league in 1997, recording 25 goals.
- He also claimed the top scorer title in the Arab Champions League.
- He won the top scorer award for the Crown Prince Cup in Saudi Arabia.
- Additionally, he was the leading scorer in the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup.