Ahly's Moroccan striker Walid Azaro was confident he would be able to deal with fan criticism after being heavily vilified by the team's supporters for wasting numerous goal-scoring chances in his early days with the club.

The 22-year-old, who joined Ahly last summer from Morocco's Difaa El-Jadida, initially struggled live up to expectations before demonstrating that he is the signing of the summer in Egypt by racking up 17 goals to earn wide acclaim.

He is now the top scorer of the Egyptian Premier League and is one goal short of becoming the best foreigner in the history of the competition in terms of goals scored in a single season.

"I have confidence in myself because I was always a top scorer at all stages of my career. I always quietly deal with the fans' criticism," Azaro told a television programme late on Thursday.

"Saad Samir (Ahly defender) envies me because of my emotional stability.

"I excuse the fans for their criticism as they always eye victories but any player in the world can endure a barren run in front of goal.

"I joined Ahly to experience the same pressure that the likes of Karim Benzema, Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo have at their respective teams.

"There is a player whose primary target is to earn big salaries but my desire is to play for a big team that challenges for titles. I also hope to join the Moroccan national team," he added.

Azaro has said recently it would be a "dream" to be called up to Morocco's squad as the Atlas Lions gear up for the summer World Cup in Russia.

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