PortuGOAL Figure of the Week: Naïs Djouahra fires Arouca to jaw-dropping performance against Moreirense | OneFootball

Naïs Djouahra in action for Arouca (Source: @naisdj Instagram page)

Gameweek Two of the 2026/2027 Liga Portugal campaign brought us goals galore with SL Benfica thrashing Casa Pia by seven goals to nil, including a seven-minute hat-trick courtesy of a former PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Vangelis Pavlidis.

Sporting CP let a 3-0 lead slip, however Vitória could not find a third goal to complete a comeback.

Alverca and Estrela da Amadora may have treated viewers to four goals, but Arouca did the same in impressively dominant fashion.

The plucky side coached by Vasco Seabra dominated Moreirense in all phases of play, overwhelming Moreirense with regular overloads while dictating comfortably with short and snappy combinations in the middle of the park.

This effort from central defender Jose Fontán was arguably the pick of the bunch, but there was one man who was synonymous with all of Arouca’s attacking exploits.

Naïs created four chances, including two perfectly executed crosses to assist both Iván Barbero and Dylan Nandin.

The 26-year-old contributed to ten goals in 36 appearances last season, yet with three assists thus far in this adolescent campaign, looks set to beat his own record in Arouca’s latest attempt to secure European football.

This is the story of Naïs Djouahra, PortuGOAL’s latest Figure of the Week. Kevin Fernandes reports.

From Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to Arouca

Born in Bourgoin-Jaillieu, Djouhara spent several years representing his hometown club after commencing his career at US Ruy Montceau.

The French winger of Algerian descent then spent six years in the prestigious academy of Saint-Étienne before making 81 appearances for Real Sociedad, between their B-team and senior side (where Djouhara scored his first goal in professional football).

A winner of domestic trophies in Croatia and Spain, experiences at Mirandés, Rijeka and Leganés matured Djouhara, to the eventual benefit of the little town in the north of Portugal.

Daring, dynamic Djouhara

Arouca’s number seven fits into the category of inverted wingers who aren’t afraid to force the issue and take responsibility of the ball, constantly asking to receive and consequently drive into dangerous zones, both on the touchline to provide a tense cross or infield to force a passing or shooting opportunity.

Comfortable on both flanks, Naïs can shoot with menace and despite presenting himself as overzealous in the final-third at times, he is capable of being the protagonist of moments of brilliance.

Standing at 172cm/5ft 6in, Djouhara’s agility to evade defenders is immediately indicated by his diminutive stature. His agility coupled with his persistent attitude, speed of execution and versatility in varied attacking zones makes him a constant threat.

Rafael Pereira provided his analysis of Naïs Djouhara on PortuGOAL last year, which remains up-to-date and well worth the read.

Third time lucky?

Representing a modest-sized town, the population of which that could barely fill Braga’s iconic Quarry stadium, FC Arouca have repeatedly defied their demographic weight.

Their maiden European voyage in 2016/17 was interrupted by Greek giants Olympiakos, and the best ever fifth-place domestic finish from the previous season was matched in 2022/23.

Will this season, kick-started by the performances of the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week, prove third time lucky as Arouca – currently sitting pretty at the top of the table – seek to make Europe again?

Kevin Fernandes’ Liga Portugal Team of the Week (GW2)