Algerian Striker Seizes Top Scorer Lead in AFC Elite as Qatar Showdowns Intensify
17 February 2026
Houssam Awar tops AFC Elite scoring in a Qatar clash
The Algerian forward for Al-Ittihad has surged to the forefront of the AFC Elite Champions League scoring chart for the 2025-2026 season, propelled by performances against Qatari clubs.
He scored the opening goal for Al-Ittihad against Al-Sadd on Tuesday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, in the eighth and final round of the Elite league phase.
The strike came in the 10th minute when Mohanned Al-Shanqeiti delivered a low cross; the goalkeeper parried, but the Algerian pounced and tucked it away from close range.
With six goals, Awar now sits atop the Elite tally, level with Adel Boubline of Al-Duhail who also has six. Interestingly, four of Awar’s goals in the Elite competition have come in the last two matches against two Qatari sides, including a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Al-Gharafa in the previous round, followed by his goal against Al-Sadd.
Thus, Awar’s stellar late-season form has put him firmly in the spotlight as the race for the top scorer heats up.
Punchline 1: If goals were jokes, Awar just delivered a killer set—stand-up, on the goal line. Punchline 2: Keep feeding him crosses and the trophy might need a bigger shelf—and a bigger ego.
