PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ahmed Mortadha Ben Ouanes |
| Date of Birth | 02/07/1994 (Age: 32) |
| Place of Birth | Sousse, Tunisia |
| Nationality | Tunisian |
| Height | 1.82 m / 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 78 kg |
| Position | Left Winger / Attacking Midfielder / Left-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #12 |
| Current Club | Kasımpaşa SK |
| Previous Clubs | Etoile du Sahel, US Monastir, CA Bizertin |
| International Caps | 22 |
| International Goals | 2 |
| Major Tournament Appearances | Africa Cup of Nations (2025), World Cup (2026) |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
| Market Value | €1.5M |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico was meant to be the crowning achievement of Mortadha Ben Ouanes’s career. The 32-year-old from Sousse had worked tirelessly to earn his place on football’s grandest stage—a journey that had taken him from the Tunisian domestic leagues to a prominent role in the Turkish Süper Lig.
But when Tunisia took the field against Japan, the dream turned into a nightmare. A devastating 0-4 defeat brought a brutal end to Tunisia’s World Cup campaign. Ben Ouanes had played just 22 minutes against the Netherlands in the final group-stage match and was an unused substitute in the defeats to Japan and Sweden. The boy from Sousse who had risen through the ranks of Etoile du Sahel had reached football’s greatest stage, only to watch most of it from the sidelines.
The disappointment was compounded by the performance of his club side. Kasımpaşa finished 13th in the Süper Lig, and Ben Ouanes’s season—2 goals and 6 assists in 28 appearances—was a shadow of his previous campaigns. The left winger who had registered 20 goals and 25 assists in 148 Süper Lig appearances over five seasons was left to process the bitter taste of unfulfilled potential on the grandest stage of all.
Origins
Born on July 2, 1994, in Sousse, Tunisia, Ahmed Mortadha Ben Ouanes began his football journey in his homeland. Standing at 182 cm and naturally left-footed, his potential was evident early, and he progressed through the youth ranks of Etoile du Sahel, one of Tunisia’s most prestigious clubs.
Ben Ouanes made his senior breakthrough with Etoile du Sahel, winning the Tunisian Cup in the 2012/13 season and the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2018/19. His performances in Tunisian football established him as one of the country’s most promising attacking talents, earning him opportunities at US Monastir and CA Bizertin before his eventual move to Turkey.
The Tunisian Forge
Etoile du Sahel (2012-2015):
Ben Ouanes made his senior debut for Etoile du Sahel, one of Tunisia’s most successful clubs. During his time at the club, he won the Tunisian Cup (2012/13) and the Arab Club Champions Cup (2018/19). His performances in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 established his reputation as a talented left-sided player.
US Monastir (2015):
In 2015, Ben Ouanes moved to US Monastir, another Tunisian top-flight club. The move provided valuable first-team experience and allowed him to develop his game.
CA Bizertin (2018):
Ben Ouanes joined CA Bizertin in January 2018 for a fee of €67,000. His time at the club was productive, and his performances attracted interest from Turkish scouts.
The Turkish Breakthrough
Kasımpaşa SK (2021-Present):
On July 5, 2021, Ben Ouanes signed with Kasımpaşa SK on a free transfer, moving to the Turkish Süper Lig. The move proved transformative for his career. Over five seasons, he has become a stalwart for the Istanbul-based club, accumulating 148 Süper Lig appearances and scoring 21 goals.
His Süper Lig record across five seasons is impressive:
2021-22 (Age 27):
23 appearances, 3 goals, 6 assists
2022-23 (Age 28):
29 appearances, 4 goals, 4 assists, 9 yellow cards, 1 red card
2023-24 (Age 29):
36 appearances, 6 goals, 5 assists, 8 yellow cards
2024-25 (Age 30):
32 appearances, 5 goals, 4 assists, 10 yellow cards
2025-26 (Age 31):
28 appearances, 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 yellow cards, 1 red card
His total career statistics across all competitions are equally impressive. Ben Ouanes has made 263 career appearances, scored 28 goals, and accumulated 26 assists across 19,765 minutes of professional football. He has scored his goals without needing penalties—all 28 goals have come from open play.
The Anatomy of His Game
Mortadha Ben Ouanes is a versatile left-sided player capable of operating as a left winger, attacking midfielder, or even left-back when required. At 182 cm, he combines technical quality with physical presence.
In Possession:
Ben Ouanes’s primary strengths lie in his creativity and distribution. His assist numbers across his Süper Lig career—25 assists in 148 appearances—demonstrate his ability to create chances for teammates. In the 2025/26 season, he recorded 6 assists from 28 appearances, with an expected assists (xA) of 2.27. He completed 335 passes at a 79.6% success rate, with 20 successful long passes (54.1% accuracy) and 15 successful crosses (33.3% success rate). He has created 20 chances across the season. His 91st percentile ranking for assists per 90 minutes in the Süper Lig (0.24) underlines his creative output. His per-90 statistics include 0.08 goals, 0.24 assists, and 0.10 xG.
Out of Possession:
Ben Ouanes is an active contributor defensively. In the 2025/26 season, he recorded 11 tackles, 11 interceptions, and 61 recoveries. He has won 63 duels at a 50.4% success rate and 12 aerial duels at a 41.4% success rate. His disciplinary record shows a combative approach—he has accumulated 39 yellow cards and 2 red cards across his five Süper Lig seasons.
Psychological Edge:
Ben Ouanes’s career demonstrates remarkable resilience and adaptability. From the youth ranks of Etoile du Sahel to the Süper Lig, he has consistently risen to the challenge. His 148 appearances for Kasımpaşa over five seasons speak to his consistency and durability. His international career, though limited to 22 caps with 2 goals, reflects his ability to perform at the highest level.
International Record:
Ben Ouanes made his debut for the Tunisian national team in 2022, appearing in World Cup qualifying matches. He has earned 22 caps across all competitions, scoring 2 goals. He appeared in Africa Cup of Nations qualification (2 appearances, 165 minutes) and at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals (0 appearances). At the 2026 World Cup, he made one appearance—22 minutes against the Netherlands—and was an unused substitute in the defeats to Japan and Sweden.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | FotMob Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Süper Lig | 28 | 26 | 2,272 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6.93 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.2 |
| International Friendlies | 2 | 1 | 115 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | 31 | 27 | 2,409 | 2 | 6 | 8 | — |
TABLE B: Süper Lig Career (2021-2026)
| Season | Age | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 1,498 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 2,386 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| 2023-24 | 29 | 36 | 33 | 2,997 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 2,527 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 2,272 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
| TOTAL | — | 148 | 133 | 11,680 | 20 | 25 | 39 | 2 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Africa Cup of Nations Qualification | 2 | 2 | 165 | 0 | — |
| World Cup Qualification (2022-2026) | 5 | 2 | 223 | 0 | — |
| International Friendlies | 14 | 4 | 577 | 2 | — |
| Tunisia Senior Career | 22 | 8 | 987 | 2 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Senior Debut | Etoile du Sahel |
| 2013 | Tunisian Cup Winner | Etoile du Sahel |
| 2019 | Arab Club Champions Cup Winner | Etoile du Sahel |
| 2018 | CA Bizertin Transfer | €67,000 move |
| 2021 | Kasımpaşa Transfer | Free transfer |
| 2022 | Tunisia Debut | World Cup qualifying |
| 2025 | Africa Cup of Nations Squad | Tunisia squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Squad | Second major tournament |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | vs Netherlands (22 minutes) |
These figures reveal a player of considerable experience and achievement. Ben Ouanes has accumulated 263 professional appearances, scored 28 goals, and earned 22 caps for Tunisia. His five seasons in the Süper Lig with Kasımpaşa have been consistently productive.
The Present Tense
The Kasımpaşa Story:
Mortadha Ben Ouanes is in his fifth season at Kasımpaşa SK, having joined the club in July 2021. The 2025/26 season has seen him make 28 Süper Lig appearances, starting 26 matches and accumulating 2,272 minutes of action. He has scored 2 goals and provided 6 assists. His disciplinary record includes 8 yellow cards and 1 red card. His average FotMob rating for the season was 6.93. His contract with the club runs until 2027.
The FIFA Club World Cup Context:
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States featured 32 of the world’s leading clubs. Kasımpaşa did not qualify for the tournament, meaning Ben Ouanes has no experience at this level of global competition.
The World Cup Campaign:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico marked Ben Ouanes’s first appearance at the tournament. He was named in Tunisia’s 26-man squad and made one appearance, coming on as a substitute for 22 minutes against the Netherlands. He was an unused substitute in Tunisia’s defeats to Japan and Sweden.
International Record:
Ben Ouanes has earned 22 caps for Tunisia since his debut in 2022. He has scored 2 international goals. He featured in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad but did not play in the tournament finals. He made appearances in World Cup qualifying and Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaigns.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Mortadha Ben Ouanes is known for his professionalism and dedication. His journey from the youth ranks of Etoile du Sahel to the Süper Lig and the World Cup represents a remarkable achievement for a player who has steadily progressed through the ranks of Tunisian and Turkish football.
His honours include the Tunisian Cup (2012/13) and the Arab Club Champions Cup (2018/19) with Etoile du Sahel. He has never won a trophy in Turkey, but his consistency and longevity at Kasımpaşa are achievements in themselves.
His market value is estimated at between €1.3 million and €1.5 million, reflecting his standing as a key player in the Süper Lig. His market value peaked at €1.3 million in December 2025. He earns an estimated annual salary of €380,000. His contract with Kasımpaşa runs until June 2027.
He is of Tunisian nationality and has dedicated his international career to representing his homeland. His full name is Ahmed Mortadha Ben Ouanes.
The Verdict from the Camp
Statistic:
Ben Ouanes has made 148 Süper Lig appearances for Kasımpaşa, scoring 20 goals and providing 25 assists over five seasons.
Statistic:
Ben Ouanes has earned 22 caps for Tunisia since his debut in 2022.
Statistic:
Ben Ouanes made one appearance at the 2026 World Cup, playing 22 minutes against the Netherlands.
Statistic:
Ben Ouanes won the Tunisian Cup (2012/13) and Arab Club Champions Cup (2018/19) with Etoile du Sahel.
Statistic:
Ben Ouanes’s assists per 90 minutes (0.24) in the 2025/26 Süper Lig season placed him in the 91st percentile among players in his position.
Statistic:
Ben Ouanes has played 263 career matches, scored 28 goals, and accumulated 26 assists across all competitions.
Where Next?
Mortadha Ben Ouanes is 32 years old and entering the latter stages of his career. His contract with Kasımpaşa runs until 2027, offering him stability and a platform to continue performing in the Turkish Süper Lig.
A return to Tunisian football is a possibility, given his experience and his history with clubs like Etoile du Sahel. Alternatively, he could remain in Turkey and see out his career with Kasımpaşa, where he has established himself as a key player over five seasons. His versatility across the left side of the pitch makes him a valuable asset.
For Tunisia, Ben Ouanes’s international future is uncertain following his limited minutes at the 2026 World Cup. With 22 caps, he has been a useful squad player for the national team, but the new cycle may see younger players emerge.
From the youth ranks of Sousse to the World Cup stage, from the Tunisian Cup to the Süper Lig, Mortadha Ben Ouanes’s journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and quiet achievement. The boy from Sousse who chose to represent Tunisia on football’s greatest stage has achieved what many footballers only dream of—and now looks to write the final chapters of a distinguished career.
