Position: Center Forward
Current Club: Zamalek (Egypt)
DOB: 28 November 1997
Birthplace: Giza, Egypt
Height: 185 cm (6’1)
Foot: Right

Mostafa Mohamed is a traditional #9 forward who likes to be a bull in the penalty area and get on the end of crosses. Relishes scoring goals with his head by muscling off defenders. Good at holding the ball up and passing quickly. When at his best, Mohamed is excellent at drawing fouls and doing the yeoman’s work required of a lone striker up top.

Finesse is an area Mohamed struggles in. His passes lack vision and his first touch is inconsistent. Finishing is decent and likes to hit shots on the first touch, but is not confident in his weaker left foot. Above all else, Mostafa Mohamed needs to fulfill his potential by bringing high energy at all times and being better at the defensive responsibilities of leading the line.

+ Developing into a solid #9. Brings the physical presence to hold the ball up, draws fouls, and be direct.

+ Excellent in the air. Lays the ball off well with his head or chest and is able to put plenty of power on head shots.

– First touch isn’t at a high enough level at this point. Needs to be better to navigate tight spaces.

– Below-average passer. Holds the ball up well but doesn’t see much in front of him and offers little creativity.

– Must bring the intensity he is capable of to every match. Needs to be better at his defensive responsibilities as a forward more.

+ Better than average athleticism. Good in aerial battles and decent quickness for his size.

+ A real bull who causes havoc and wears down defenders at his best.

– Not very agile when moving side-to-side, limits ability to get around people.

+ Very good header of the ball. Keeps his headers down and generates power well.

– Passing lacks touch and range. Limited to layoffs and short passes.

– Lacks the ability to dribble and take players on. First touch is average at this point.

♦ Adequate enough finisher. Very dependent on right foot and rarely uses the left. Hits shots with power. Needs improvement on shot accuracy, fails to test goalkeeper enough.

+ Brings intensity and urgency with his play. Tends to play better on bigger occasions.

– Needs to develop more consistency. Drifts out of games and negatively impacts team’s attack when the effort isn’t there.

– Lacks variety. Only plays direct at this point and can be neutralized by defenders who excel physically.

[plus_sign_fusion_icon] Very good at performing the tough work required of a target forward. Good at drawing fouls and playing with his back to goal.

[plus_sign_fusion_icon] Active nature draws defenders out of position with runs and aerial duels. Clears space for dribblers and creators.

[minus_sign_fusion_icon] Limited vision. Doesn’t have the ability to break down a defense with the ball at his feet.

[minus_sign_fusion_icon] Needs to have more of an impact as a defensive forward. Needs to be more of a pest to defenders who have the ball through pressing.

Rankings are out of 97 forwards from the 2019-20 Egyptian Premier League season. Includes all center forwards who played a minimum of 400 minutes:

Mohamed does everything pretty well as a forward, but his heading and ability in the air really stands out in the Egyptian Premier League. His passing numbers show he knows his limits and doesn’t aspire to much beyond short passes. Overall, his attacking numbers show that he does everything adequately compared to his peers. However, a higher level will require improvement in several areas to find success, especially his efficiency in front of goal.

For a good frame of reference, Mostafa was compared to Marwan Mohsen of rivals Al Ahly over the last two seasons in Egypt. Mohsen has started the last three major tournaments for Egypt’s national team as a lone #9. He has a reputation for excelling in doing the tough work up top, while lacking finishing ability. Here’s how they compared in several categories:

Mohsen’s high level as a defensive forward is what Mohamed needs to aspire to reach. If he can be more involved in harassing defenders, then his finishing ability can be the difference between succeeding and failing at a European club. Mohamed is establishing himself as a reliable goal scorer in the Egyptian league, but he needs to aspire to be the league leader if he wants to play at a higher level and regularly for the Egypt national team.

Egyptian national team fans will be hoping that Mostafa Mohamed can become a dependable presence and finisher up top. He was the top scorer in the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations and has shown extended flashes in the Egyptian Premier League. However, he has not taken the leap to the next level yet as a finisher. Furthermore, he lacks the consistency and work rate to be productive day in and day out at a higher level.

That is not to say that a club in Europe is beyond Mohamed. His quickness and physical strength will allow him to deal with the pace of play. The most important thing for Mohamed right now is to get another season of consistent playing time where he can work on the finer points in his game. If he can be more consistent and challenge for the Egyptian Premier League top scorer with Zamalek, then Europe may be on the horizon.