Exclusive: Former Al-Ahly Striker Henry Makinwa Reveals Reasons For Their Long-Standing Success

Former Al-Ahly striker Henry Makinwa has revealed what makes the Egyptian Premier League side a force to be reckoned with, and the need for African sides to try and emulate them in the quest to achieve success.

Makinwa, 47 won the Premier League title with the Red Devils during the 2004/2005 season playing alongside a host of household names in Egyptian football the likes of Essam El Hadary, Ahmad Hassan, Mohamed Aboutrika.

Now, with the Cairo club flying high yet in the CAF Champions League this campaign, and are set to be one of Africa's flag bearers in next year's FIFA Club World Cup, Makinwa has spoken admirably about them and given insights on why they've remained top of the ladder in Africa.

A record 12 Champions League title in the bag including two on the bounce and four in the last five seasons, Al-Ahly do not look like slowing down anytime soon, thrilling the ultras when they walloped CR Belouizdad 6-1 in a CAF champions league group game last Sunday. 

THE LONG-STANDING ROMANCE WITH THE CONTINENT'S BEST TALENTS

Makinwa reiterated Al-Ahly's sustained success is no fluke, but is down to the club's standard organization and belief in youth talents, and then going on to cherry-pick the best of them in Africa.

When quizzed on how the club had came about their retained success, he was effusive in his explanation. "There's a saying that really talented players don't come better than from Al-Ahly", he told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

"Look, it is no magic when you see them performing the way they do. I was lucky to play there and I witnessed first hand the structure they had in place, the standard, the organization of things, you know.

"It is top standard, it is something you compare to European football, that is what they have there. Those days I was there, I was pleasantly surprised this is in Africa. Football is more about winning games, titles and how do you do that? You need the best legs. That is Al-Ahly for you. All I saw there was they always get the best, they have the best network of scouting, a football concept that is second to none.

"Let me give you an example of what they do. After every league season in Egypt, the 16 best players from the league from different clubs is what Al-Ahly will be looking at, there's always the best sixteen, so they bring them to Al-Ahly.

"Then, they look outside of Egypt, they look at Angola, they look at Nigeria, they look at Tunisia, who are the best players from the national league of these countries, they will get them."

THE REASON BEHIND AL AHLY'S SUCCESSES AND HOW THE EFA HAS BENEFITED

"So you see them, they always in the final, semi-final, final, semi-final of the Champions League, for decades and this has been going on. In fact, you can't talk about the Champions League in Africa without mentioning Al-Ahly.

"During those days, due to how good Al-Ahly was and how their players were well-managed, seven players from our team were playing in the national teams.

"You know what that means. And I can tell you that you that then you hardly see a talented Pharaoh playing away from Egypt in any part of the world unless they are going to top European clubs, unless they're going to the English Premier League.

"In their national top flight, an average player earns close to a 100k dollars, so why would one go to Portugal to earn 20k? Or to Poland to earn 30k?

"So back then what the EFA do is that, the best players in the country for like three, four, five years are retained in the league mostly at Al-Ahly.

"Players like Aboutrika, High Dam, Ahmed Hassan, Wael Gomaa, Barakat, these were my teammates then at Al-Ahly, top players and every one of them was in the national team.

"You see, it really made life easier for the EFA, and all those years you see Egypt were so successful in the AFCON and club competitions, this was the bedrock of it.

"This is what we've being clamouring for, and something every serious football nation in Africa should be doing. It doesn't make all that sense if you go bring 20s and 30s of players abroad and throw them all out during tournaments, and just hope they tick. There has to be a foundation."

ADEQUATE FUNDING ALSO PLAYED A ROLE

"They've put in some money, I must not fail to tell you. So, that as well is another thing. Because in anything you do in football, you have to look at how well have you organized? How much money do you have? How much more investors can you attract with the way you do your thing?

"Al-Ahly were willing from the onset to put together something standard, so it is the reason they are that successful."