Al Nasr sign up Moroccan striker

Al Nasr signed up Moroccan striker Ahmed Bahja to play with them for four months until the end of the current season 2001-2002.

The details were announced at a press conference held at the Al Nasr club yesterday. Mohammed Khamis, assistant manager of the Al Nasr club football committee was in attendance along with Al Nasr skipper Juma Saeed and striker Qazim Ali.

Bahja, also present, displayed the shirt No 13 which he will wear for Al Nasr starting today against Al Wahda in Abu Dhabi if his registration card is completed in the UAE FA before the start of the match.

Following the press conference ended, Bahja took the bus with the Al Nasr players who took lunch at the club and left at 3:30 pm for Abu Dhabi to prepare for their crucial league match today at the Al Nahyan stadium.

The Moroccan was happy to join Al Nasr. "I am glad to play for this great club and give my best," said Bahja adding,"I came to Dubai in 1999 and played for Al Wasl for a short period. I hope I can give off a good performance with Al Nasr and contribute in their return to winning championships in the UAE league and President's Cup."

Bahja, 29, claimed that he played for Al Nasr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. "I played with Al Nasr in the first World clubs championship held in Brazil in January 2000. I won several championships with all the clubs I played in Saudi Arabia. Only Al Wasl club in the UAE couldn't win titles with them."

Mohammed Khamis welcomed Bahja to Al Nasr,"On behalf of the club's board and the senior football team I take this opportunity to welcome Ahmed Bahja. The contract is for four months until the end of June. I hope Bahja will be an excellent addition to the team and I am confident he will spare no effort in showing his best form for the senior football team and the club," said Khamis.

Bahja claimed that he with Libya's Al Ittihad last season. "It was a good experience for me. With Al Ittihad, I won the league title and the Cup. In the last four months, I signed for Al Kawkab Marakesh club in Morocco. I scored seven goals for them in 11 league matches."

Bahja stated that he is now a different player than before. "Before I was nervous and tense which made me create many problems with opponents and referees. But I am calm big hearted and tolerant. I will be complying with the referees decisions without protest."

The Moroccan said that Al Nasr were still in the title race. "Al Nasr now have 13 points and the difference between the top teams and Al Nasr is not so big. There are 12 matches left, if we win most of them, Al Nasr will be the top contender this season."

Bahja praised his fellow professionals. "Maher Kanzari is one of the best players in Tunisia and UAE. I think we will try to lead Al Nasr with the help of our teammates and the technical staff to achieve fine results," concluded Bahja.