Abou Bakr Al-Mel Explained

Abou Bakr Al-Mel
Fullname:Abou Bakr Ali Al-Mel
Birth Date:15 November 1992
Birth Place:Tripoli, Lebanon
Height:1.83 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Bourj
Clubnumber:77
Years1:2011–2012
Clubs1:Nejmeh
Caps1:5
Goals1:0
Years2:2012–2013
Clubs2:Egtmaaey Tripoli
Caps2:17
Goals2:1
Years3:2013–2015
Clubs3:Salam Zgharta
Caps3:35
Goals3:9
Years4:2015–2017
Clubs4:Tripoli
Caps4:37
Goals4:21
Years5:2017
Clubs5:Kelantan
Caps5:9
Goals5:1
Years6:2018
Clubs6:Tripoli
Caps6:11
Goals6:3
Years7:2018
Clubs7:PSIS Semarang
Caps7:3
Goals7:0
Years8:2018–2019
Clubs8:Nejmeh
Caps8:18
Goals8:4
Years9:2019–2020
Clubs9:Tripoli
Caps9:2
Goals9:0
Years10:2020
Clubs10:Bourj
Caps10:7
Goals10:2
Years11:2020–2021
Clubs11:UiTM
Caps11:9
Goals11:0
Years12:2021–
Clubs12:Bourj
Caps12:17
Goals12:4
Years13:2022–2023
Clubs13:Sagesse (loan)
Caps13:10
Goals13:0
Nationalyears1:2016–2017
Nationalteam1:Lebanon
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:22 September 2023
Nationalteam-Update:9 November 2017

Abou Bakr Ali Al-Mel (Arabic: أبو بكر علي المل; born 15 November 1992), also known as Bako (Arabic: باكو|links=no), is a Lebanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Bourj.

Club career

Nejmeh

Abou Bakr made his debut in Lebanese Premier League with Nejmeh in 2011 as an 18-year-old and made five appearances with his came on 30 December 2011 in the match where Safa against Nejmeh when he was substituted in to replace Hassan Al Mohamed on minute 85, and able to make 5 appearances as a substitute for the club and had 38 minutes of play.[1]

Egtmaaey

Abou Bakr signed for Al Egtmaaey Tripoli for the 2012–13 season. On 19 March 2013 he scored his first goal in his career and for Al-Shabab in a 5–3 win over Shabab Al-Ghazieh.[2] He had 770 minutes played after had played 17 matches where he had 6 appearances as first eleven.

Salam Zgharta

2013–14 season

Abou Bakr joined Salam Zgharta for 2013–14 season and made his debut against his former club, Nejmeh where they lost 0–2.[3] He scored his first goal for the club on 2 November 2013 against Racing Beirut.[4] On 14 November 2013, he scored two goal against his former club, Al Egtmaaey Tripoli which is the first time he scored twice in a match in his career. He also started to make more appearances as the first eleven as he made 20 appearances where 19 of them is as the first eleven. He is also one of the Lebanese FA Cup winning squad on that year as Salam Zgharta won 1–0 after extra time on 31 May 2014.[5]

2014–15 season

He stayed at Salam Zgharta for 2014–15 season to make it his first club where he played for two seasons straight. His first season this season came on 23 November 2014 against Al-Nabi Shayth[6] He make 15 appearances with 5 goals for this season. For winning the Lebanese FA Cup in the previous season, Salam Zgharta was given the chance to compete in AFC Cup which will be his and the club inaugural season competing in the cup. His debut in AFC Cup came on 17 February 2015 in 2015 AFC Cup qualifying play-off against Tajikistan club, Khayr Vahdat FK where they won 3–0 and qualified to the group stage. His first goal in the AFC Cup was during the match against Al-Nahda Club, an Oman based club where he scored twice to make a 2–1 win. Their journey in the 2015 AFC Cup came to an end after placed in 4th position with only 3 points after only 1 match won from 6 matches.[7]

Tripoli

2015–16 season

After making 35 appearances and 9 goals with Salam Zgharta, he signed with Tripoli SC and his debut came on 16 October 2015 against Al Ansar.[8] He scored his first goal for the club on 1 November 2015 against Safa.[9] As Tripoli SC was the Lebanese FA Cup champion for 2014–15 Lebanese FA Cup, he get another chance in the AFC Cup where he get to scored two goals also in this campaign but still failed to pass the group stage after Tripoli only placed 3rd in group[10]

2016–17 season

2016-17 was a great season for Abou Bakr as he was named as Lebanese Premier League top scorer as he scored 16 goals.

Kelantan

On 18 May 2017, Abou Bakr joined Liga Super side, Kelantan on a one-and-a-half-year contract that will end in November 2018. He was signed to replace his fellow countryman, Mohammed Ghaddar. This was also the first time in his career for him to expatriate from Lebanon to play at foreign country.[11] [12] [13] It was also revealed he had rejected a trial offer from West Ham United and an offer from Saudi Arabia based club to joined Kelantan.[14] [15] He made his debut on 24 May 2017, playing against Penang.

PSIS Semarang

Abou Bakr signed for Indonesian side PSIS Semarang in the 2018 Liga 1. He made his first team debut on 30 July 2018 in a 1–1 2018 Liga 1 home draw against PSM Makassar, replacing Bayu Nugroho after 56 minutes and assisting Hari Nur Yulianto's goal.

Return to Nejmeh

On 10 September 2018, Bako returned to Lebanon, signing for Nejmeh.[16] In his debut game in the league, 21 September 2018, he scored a goal against Ansar in a 4–2 domestic win.[17] On 29 January he scored a brace in the Lebanese FA Cup Round of 16 game against Takadom Ankoun in a 6–0 win.[18]

Bako was chosen as the best player of the season by a public referendum held by Football Lebanon.[19]

Bourj

On 8 September 2020, Bako joined Bourj on a permanent deal.[20] He played seven games, scoring two goals and making one assist in the first half of the 2020–21 Lebanese Premier League.[21]

UiTM

In December 2020 Bako moved back to Malaysia, joining UiTM ahead of the 2021 Malaysia Super League. He made his debut on 6 March 2021, losing 2–1 in the first matchday against Terengganu.[22]

Return to Bourj

On 22 May 2021, Bako returned to Bourj.[23] He helped his side win the 2021 Lebanese Challenge Cup as the competition's top goalscorer, with three goals.[24] [25]

Sagesse

On 4 July 2022, Bako moved to Sagesse, alongside Bourj teammate Akram Moghrabi.[26]

Second return to Bourj

On 29 May 2023, Al-Mel returned once again to Bourj.[27]

International career

Bako first appearance for Lebanon came on 5 February 2016, as a substitute in a friendly against Bahrain.[28]

Career statistics

Club

[29]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalTotal
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Nejmeh2011–12[30] 5 0 5 0
Egtmaaey Tripoli2012–13[31] Lebanese Premier League17 1 17 1
Salam Zgharta2013–14[32] Lebanese Premier League204204
2014–15[33] Lebanese Premier League15522177
Total359223711
Tripoli2015–16[34] Lebanese Premier League17522197
2016–17[35] Lebanese Premier League20162016
Total3721223923
Kelantan2017Liga Super9153144
Tripoli2017–18Lebanese Premier League113113
PSIS Semarang2018Liga 1300030
Nejmeh2018–19Lebanese Premier League9412106
Career total1263912534413648

Honours

Salam Zgharta

Bourj

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SAFA VS. AL NEJMEH 0 – 1. 20 May 2017.
  2. Web site: AL EGTMAAEY TRABLOS VS. SHABAB AL GHAZIEH 5 – 3. 20 May 2017.
  3. Web site: SALAM ZGHARTA VS. AL NEJMEH 0 – 2. 20 May 2017.
  4. Web site: RACING VS. SALAM ZGHARTA 3 – 2. 20 May 2017.
  5. Web site: Lebanese FA Cup 2013-2014 season. 20 May 2017.
  6. Web site: Al-Nabi Shayth vs. Salam Zgharta 1–1. 20 May 2017.
  7. Web site: Group A Schedule & Result. 21 May 2017.
  8. Web site: AL ANSAR VS. TRIPOLI 1 – 1. 20 May 2017.
  9. Web site: SAFA VS. TRIPOLI 2 – 2. 20 May 2017.
  10. Web site: Group A schedule & results. 21 May 2017.
  11. Web site: Abou Bakr Al-Mel Sah Milik Pasukan Kelantan. 21 May 2017.
  12. Web site: Kelantan sah ikat 'Bako'. 21 May 2017.
  13. Web site: Abou Bakr ganti Ghaddar. 21 May 2017.
  14. Web site: This EPL club wanted to sign Bako before he chose Kelantan. 21 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180320230514/https://www.fourthofficial.com/2017/46832/epl-club-wanted-sign-bako-chose-kelantan/. 20 March 2018. dead.
  15. Web site: Bako tolak tawaran West Ham untuk sertai Kelantan. 21 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170522220813/http://www.utusan.com.my/sukan/bola-sepak/bako-tolak-tawaran-west-ham-untuk-sertai-kelantan-1.483082. 22 May 2017. dead.
  16. Web site: Hengkang dari Tim Promosi Liga 1, Striker Asing Ini Dicap Tak Profesional – Bolasport.com. Bolasport.com. bolasport.com. id. 2019-01-29.
  17. Web site: Al Nejmeh vs. Al Ansar – 21 September 2018 – Soccerway. int.soccerway.com. 2019-01-29.
  18. Web site: Al Taqdom Anqoon vs. Al Nejmeh – 29 January 2019 – Soccerway. int.soccerway.com. 2019-01-29.
  19. Web site: إستفتاء الجمهور أبو بكر المل أفضل لاعب في الموسم. Lebanon. Football. football-lebanon.com. 7 May 2019. 8 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191208055038/http://football-lebanon.com/details.php?id=6722. dead.
  20. Web site: Mahfoud. Maroun. 2020-09-08. Official: Abou Baker el Mel joins Bourj FC. 2020-09-08. FA Lebanon. en-GB.
  21. Web site: Diab. Rami Abou. 2020-12-16. Abou Baker Al Mel to join the Malaysian Super League. 2020-12-29. FA Lebanon. en-GB.
  22. Web site: Abou Diab. Rami. 2021-03-08. Lebanese Players Abroad: March 2021, Week 1. live. 2021-03-08. FA Lebanon. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20210308215551/https://www.falebanon.com/lebanese-players-abroad-march-2021-week-1/ . 8 March 2021 .
  23. Web site: 2021-05-22. بالصور: البرج يعلن عن صفقاته الجديدة. 2021-05-22. كووورة.
  24. Web site: Hijazi. Alloffs. 2021-08-02. ابو بكر المل هدافاً لكأس التحدي. 2021-08-09. El Maestro Sport. ar.
  25. Web site: Hijazi. Alloffs. 2021-08-05. القرحاني أيضاً هدافاً للتحدي. 2021-08-09. El Maestro Sport. ar.
  26. Web site: 2022-07-02 . الحكمة يعلن تعاقده مع ثنائي البرج . 2022-07-04 . كووورة.
  27. Web site: 2023-05-29 . أبو بكر المل يعود إلى البرج . 2023-07-07 . كووورة.
  28. Web site: Strack-Zimmermann. Benjamin. Bahrain vs. Lebanon (2:0). 2019-01-29. www.national-football-teams.com. en.
  29. Web site: ABU BAKER AL MAL. Soccerway. Perform Group. 20 May 2017.
  30. Web site: Player Details: Season 2011-12: Abou Baker . Perform Group . 21 May 2017.
  31. Web site: Player Details: Season 2012-13: Abou Baker . Perform Group . 21 May 2017.
  32. Web site: Player Details: Season 2013-14: Abou Baker . Perform Group . 21 May 2017.
  33. Web site: Player Details: Season 2014-15: Abou Baker . Perform Group . 21 May 2017.
  34. Web site: Player Details: Season 2015-16: Abou Baker . Perform Group . 21 May 2017.
  35. Web site: Player Details: Season 2016-17: Abou Baker . Perform Group . 21 May 2017.
  36. Web site: مهرجان كرة المنار الـ 21 لونه "أصفر". AR. 26 February 2019.
  37. Web site: 3 June 2014. نتائج مهرجان كرة المنار الـ18. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20190510223557/https://www.annahar.com/article/138587-%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AC-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%8418. 10 May 2019. 26 February 2019. An-Nahar.