Mohamed Hamdy Zaki: Zamalek Deserved the League Title, Imad Ashour Not the Best in Egypt

Mohamed Hamdy Zaki, a current player for Haras El Hodood and former member of Al Ahly, stated that Zamalek rightfully earned the Egyptian Premier League title after a season filled with challenges and difficulties. He praised the team’s focus and determination, which ultimately led them to victory.

During an appearance on “Stars of Nile League” hosted by Ahmed El Masry on ON Sport FM, Zaki highlighted Zamalek’s significant achievement despite the crises faced throughout the season. He noted that the team managed to overcome the disappointment of exiting the Confederation Cup and refocused on their primary goal: winning the league.

Zaki pointed out that the natural rivalry for the league title usually lies between Al Ahly and Zamalek. However, he remarked that Al Ahly did not perform at their best this season, dropping several points due to inconsistent performances and misfortune in certain matches. In contrast, Zamalek remained steadfast in their ambition until the end, earning their title rightfully.

He acknowledged that Pyramids FC was a strong contender for the title but believed that it was Zamalek’s persistence and focus that ultimately secured them the championship.

Al Ahly’s Third Place a Major Surprise

Zaki described Al Ahly’s third-place finish in the league as a significant surprise for Egyptian fans, emphasizing that the club is accustomed to competing for and winning titles consistently.

He stated that Al Ahly remains the strongest club in terms of fan support and administration within Egyptian football, followed by Zamalek and then Pyramids FC. He considered Al Ahly’s absence from the top of the league standings an anomaly unlikely to recur frequently in future seasons.

Criticism of Exceptional League System

The Haras El Hodood player expressed reservations regarding the exceptional league system, noting that having teams like Enppi and Smouha among those competing for the title was unexpected. He pointed out that other clubs deserved to be among the elite based on their performances and results.

Zaki affirmed that the current system has not achieved full fairness for all participating teams, especially given the narrow margins between many clubs as the season concluded.

Zaki: Imad Ashour Not Currently Egypt’s Best

In another context, Zaki discussed Al Ahly player Imad Ashour, acknowledging his significant technical abilities and ranking him among Egypt’s top players. However, he does not consider him to be the best in Egypt at this time.

He explained that being labeled as “the best” involves several factors, including consistency over many years, making a difference in crucial matches, and leading a team to championships—criteria he believes have yet to be fully met by Ashour.

Call for More Opportunities for Egyptian Coaches at Al Ahly

Zaki also addressed coaching leadership within Al Ahly, stating that the club tends to favor hiring foreign coaches with only limited exceptions like Hossam El Badry’s tenure.

He pointed out that some Egyptian coaches possess both technical and managerial skills suitable for leading Al Ahly, particularly Ali Maher and Emad Nassar. He noted that Egyptian coaches have a better understanding of local players’ dynamics and can effectively manage them both psychologically and technically.

Wadi Degla and Petrojet Show Strong Organizational Skills

The Haras El Hodood player praised Wadi Degla and Petrojet for their performances this season, considering them among teams with clear technical identities and professional operational systems reflected in their performance and results.

Zaki asserted that facing these two teams reveals substantial organizational efforts taking place within both clubs.

Moataz Gamal as Best Coach; Abdullah El-Saeed Star of Recent Years

Zaki concluded his remarks by asserting that Moataz Gamal deserves recognition as this season’s best coach after leading Zamalek to league victory. He emphasized there are many outstanding coaches within Egyptian football.

Additionally, he named Abdullah El-Saeed as Egypt’s best player over the past decade, highlighting his significant impact and sustained high-level performance as factors making him one of modern Egyptian football’s most prominent stars—even if he is not currently viewed as the best on the field.