Algerian star Bounedjah to remain at Al Shamal amid North African interest
- Omna Taddele
- May 14
- 1 min read
Qatar Stars League side Al Shamal plans to keep star forward Baghdad Bounedjah as he garners interest from North African and Saudi Arabian clubs. Bounedjah has also attracted interest from other Qatari top flight clubs but Al Shamal seeks to keep the Algerian for the coming season.
Al Shamal chairman Mishaal Al-Ali told Qatari sports television channel Al Kass that the striker remains a key part of his side. “Letting Baghdad Bounedjah go would have been an administrative error. He is an invaluable player," said the football administrator.
Al Ahly and Esperance showed interest in signing the player to bolster their squads ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which is due to be held in the U.S.A. The remark from Al-Ali effectively ends any rumors surrounding the future of the 2019 African Cup of Nations winner.
Al-Ali further added that they are grooming the former Al Duhail and Étoile du Sahel striker to be the club’s next sporting director. “We are preparing Baghdad to become the club's sporting director as part of a major project we have put in place.”
With such arrangements in place, it will be very difficult for other clubs to secure his services. The 33-year-old forward scored 18 league goals in the 2024/25 season, tied for second on the QSL scoring charts with Akram Afif and Rafa Mujica, as Al Shamal ended the season in sixth place.
