Latest news with #Zizo
The Guardian
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Life for the displaced in Calais
After the closure in 2016 of the Calais refugee camp known as the 'Jungle', crossing to the UK from France has become even more dangerous, mostly as a result of increased state security measures and the militarisation of the border. A camp in Calais in February 2025 According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 78 people died attempting to reach the UK in small boats in 2024, the highest number yet. Tents were seized after a police eviction in February 2025 A camp where young Sudanese people live (left) and the sea at Calais There are about 700 displaced people in Calais, mainly from Sudan, Syria and Eritrea. They are not permitted to put up tents and the police in the seaside city carry out evictions of the camps three times a week. According to demonstrators at a protest against these policies in January, the evictions are carried out at a fast pace, with tents and sleeping bagsseized by the authorities, who are desperate to prevent another permanent camp being set up. The beach at Calais, where the authorities are attempting to transform the image of the city A camp in the woods (left) and people washing their clothes The city's hostile environment includes barbed wire, boulders to prevent tents from being erected, and surveillance devices. This is a result of an agreement under which the UK has paid the French government hundreds of millions of pounds to deter displaced people from coming to Calais and attempting to cross the Channel. Despite this inhospitable urban landscape, the municipality of Calais has been attempting to attract more tourists. This was symbolised by the appearance in 2019 of the 'Calais dragon', a fire-breathing colossus built of steel and carved wood. The construction, which can carry 50 visitors at a time, was the first stage of the planned renewal of the city. Young Sudanese men in Calais in January 2025. They fled their country due to the civil war. According to the Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and North Sea, the increased surveillance and policing of the Calais beaches has led displaced people to attempt more perilous routes from other points along the coast, some as far south as Dieppe. It says this maritime sector is one of the busiest in the world, 'with more than 600 commercial vessels passing through it every day and the weather conditions are often difficult, making it particularly dangerous, even when the sea seems calm'. Last week, for instance, the French navy's public service patrol boat Cormoran rescued 77 occupants of a small boat who had called for help and brought them back to Calais. After being evicted from a city centre encampment, two men move their tent to avoid police seizure Zizo, 21, from Sudan, dreams of becoming a hairdresser in the UK Figures released by the UK Home Office show that 36,816 people crossed the Channel in small boats last year. Everyone on the coast at Calais is aware that attempting the journey is a life-threatening proposition, but more are undertaking it: crossings this year have increased by more than 40% compared with the same period in 2024. Rocks and boulders placed to prevent the displaced from setting up tents People attempt to keep warm in December last year (left) and playing cards at a day centre for people in exile The family of a seven-year-old girl who was crushed to death on a small boat participated in the protest in January. Ahmed Alhashimi, an Iraqi, lost grasp of his daughter Sara on an inflatable dinghy after a large group of men rushed onboard as it was pulling away from the shores of Wimereux, south of Calais. It was the family's fourth attempt at a crossing of the Channel since they had arrived in the Pas de Calais region two months earlier. The Alhashimi family carry photographs of their daughter and sister Sara who eight when she died at sea in northern France in April 2024. Ferhad (left) fled Kuwait because he is Christian and does not feel safe there and Necmettin, who is Sudanese, has been in Calais for three months Reform UK's Andrea Jenkyns, in her victory speech after being elected as the mayor of Greater Lincolnshire this week, said: 'We will tackle illegal migration. We've been working on policies. 'I say no to putting people in hotels. Tents are good enough for France. They should be good enough for here in Britain.' In Calais, the displaced are denied even the shelter of tents. Young Sudanese prepare banners in their native Arabic for a protest against their treatment in Calais People in exile carry a mock coffin that they made for a demonstration in Calais
The National
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The National
CAF Champions League: Serial winners Al Ahly and upstarts Pyramids look to make home advantage count
Cairo stages two CAF Champions League semi-final, second leg games on Friday evening, raising the prospect of a final between two teams from the same city. Two teams from South Africa stand in their way. Holders and serial winners Al Ahly are home to Mamelodi Sundowns at Cairo's vast international stadium. A sell-out crowd is expected. Across the city in New Cairo, Pyramids entertain Orlando Pirates, where a sell-out crowd will be much harder to achieve given they are the upstarts still building a fan base. It's one of the biggest games in Pyramids' history. Both first legs were drawn 0-0 in South Africa last week and outsiders may consider the Egyptian sides favourites. Clubs from the country have been the pre-eminent force in African football, with Al Ahly winning the Champions League last year for the sixth time in eight years. Not even Real Madrid can claim such continental hegemony. Ahly's erstwhile rivals Zamalek won the secondary Confederations Cup last year. Sundowns were the last team not from north Africa to win the Champions League, in 2016, and South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs reached the 2021 final. Teams from Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco dominate African football, but Ahly are not as imperious, haven't won in their past three games and are missing key players Yahya Allah, Karim El Debes and Reda Selim for Friday's game. Ahly fans are frustrated with their board and coach. The team didn't show for a recent league game against Zamalek because a foreign referee wasn't selected – as they claim had been agreed. Three points were awarded to Zamalek and Ahly claimed they wouldn't play the rest of the league campaign, before backtracking on their decision. Ahly boast the best squad in African football but the quality on the pitch has left fans underwhelmed. It would have been even stronger if they'd signed winger Ahmed Mostafa "Zizo" from Zamalek, a story widely reported and talked about in Egypt. This would be as significant in the country as Barcelona signing Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid or Manchester City signing Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United. Zizo would be the first player to switch between Egypt's two biggest clubs since 2013. Few believed the rumours that Zizo would sign for Ahly until he was spotted in the US embassy getting a visa – it was thought to travel with Ahly to the Club World Cup in June. The player took to social media to say that he 'does not respond to false information … to be clear I have not signed for any club, whether inside or outside Egypt.' But his extended post left more questions than answers as he talked about the career of a footballer being a short one and that one must have obligations to family. He says he's waiting on an offer from Zamalek and that he's has overdue wages to be paid too. 'I've made it clear. I'm waiting until the end of the Confederation Cup before making any decisions,' he said. 'I just want the conversation about my future to happen directly with the club, not through the media.' Zamalek, the holders, excluded Zizo from their CAF Confederations Cup game, which they lost to South African side Stellenbosch. Both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will be hoping to repeat that success of a South African side over an Egyptian one in Cairo on Friday, but it'll be tough. For Pyramids, this season represents more progress. They won the first stage of the domestic league, but yet another change in how the Egyptian top-flight functions means that counts for little, since the teams have now split into two groups of nine much like the Belgian league system. The winners of the top nine will decide the eventual champions, but few doubt the continual improvement of Pyramids, who won their first trophy last season – the Egypt Cup – with a 1-0 victory over Zamalek. Many in Egypt sneer at Pyramids and their lack of fans, but they're run in a professional manner and have reached these semi-finals just a year after getting into the Champions League group stage for the first time. Before that, they had reached the final of the secondary Confederations Cup in 2020, but they're now a continental heavyweight in terms of their performances on the pitch, if not the size of their fanbase. But, as the club's CEO Mamdouh Eid told The National: 'Around 30 million people live in this area, there is enough room for everyone. There is no doubt that there is room to grow in this area, to grow our fan base. The right way to do that is to keep our heads down, to keep working and have humility. I believe that 'well done' is better than 'well said'.' Becoming champions of Africa would bring Pyramids much more notice, but first they must overcome Orlando Pirates. And Ahly must settle themselves if they are to defeat Sundowns.
Saba Yemen
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
Zamalek's first official move after the "Zizo" crisis
Cairo - Saba: The Egyptian club Zamalek announced the summoning of winger Ahmed Sayed Mostafa (Zizo) for investigation after his absence from the team's training. Zamalek's media center announced on Friday that it "sent an official registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt to Zizo, notifying him of an investigation next Saturday for his absence from the club's training and matches since April 10, and informing him of the penalties imposed on him due to this absence." The club also sent a letter to the Egyptian Football Association, notifying it of the player's absence from training and matches despite his contract remaining until the end of the current season. Zamalek emphasized that "this absence violates the terms of his contract with the club, as well as the applicable internal and external regulations and laws." It is worth noting that news reports indicated that Al Ahly, Zamalek's traditional rival in Egypt, had signed Zizo, but the African champions have not yet officially announced the player's signing. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Al-Ahram Weekly
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Preview: Zamalek seek Confederation Cup semis amid ‘Zizo' saga - Egyptian Football
Zamalek will look to secure a place in the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals when they host South Africa's Stellenbosch at Cairo Stadium on Wednesday in the second leg of the competition's quarter-finals, albeit without their star player, Ahmed 'Zizo' Sayed, who has been dropped from the squad. The defending champions managed to hold Stellenbosch to a goalless draw in the first leg last week in Cape Town, putting them in a favorable position to reach the next round at home. The White Knights are experiencing a nervy week, with reports suggesting that their star player, Ahmed 'Zizo' Sayed, whose contract with the club is set to expire at the end of this season, has signed with archrivals Ahly. These reports have marred Zamalek's preparations for the game, especially given the unclear fate of the player, who has remained tight-lipped about his future in recent days. However, Zizo came forward on Tuesday to deny all reports regarding his possible departure, stressing that he is waiting for the club to meet his financial demands and renew his contract. Just minutes later, in a surprising move, Zamalek announced that the 29-year-old winger had been dropped from the squad which will play on Wednesday, with sources revealing that the decision was made after the club confirmed Zizo's signature with Ahly. In Zizo's absence, the Portuguese coach José Peseiro will rely on veteran playmaker Abdallah El-Said and talented fullback Mahmoud Bentayg. El-Said missed the first leg due to a back injury, while Bentayg was absent due to administrative issues. 'The return of players like El-Said gives us control and experience in key moments,' Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awwad said during Tuesday's press conference. 'We've prepared well, and the whole team is focused on reaching the next round.' Zamalek won the Confederation Cup last season at the expense of Morocco's RS Berkane and are seeking back-to-back continental titles for the first time in the club's history. Stellenbosch are appearing in their first CAF quarter-finals and are bracing for a charged atmosphere in Cairo. Coach Steve Barker acknowledged the significance of the occasion but insisted his players are ready for the challenge. 'Facing a club like Zamalek at a stadium like this is a privilege,' Barker said. 'We know what to expect from the crowd, and we need to play smart and start well to quiet the energy early.' The winner will face either Masry (Egypt) or Simba (Tanzania) in the semifinals. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zamalek's Zizo refutes reports of signing with rival Ahly - Egyptian Football
Zamalek winger Ahmed "Zizo" Sayed has firmly denied reports suggesting he has signed with any club, either inside Egypt or abroad, amid rife speculations about his future as his contract with the White Knights edges closer to expiration. Recent reports on social media claimed the 29-year-old had agreed to join rival Ahly ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup, scheduled in the United States between 15 June and 13 July. "I've chosen not to comment on contract extension talks for some time, but now I need to make it clear: I haven't signed with any team, inside or outside Egypt," Zizo said in a statement posted on his Instagram account Tuesday. 'The club holding my signature should be the one to announce it - if they have it,' he added. Zizo also expressed respect for Zamalek, where he has played for several years while referring to unresolved issues related to his rights as a player. 'People should understand that I respect the great club I play for, but there are issues I haven't spoken about, including my rights as a player - just like any player in the world,' Zizo said. The winger's contract with Zamalek is set to expire at the end of the current season, meaning he has been in the open negotiation period since January. This allows him to discuss terms with any club, including potential suitors like Ahly, should Zamalek fail to renew his contract. However, recent reports suggested that talks between Zizo and Zamalek have stalled due to his financial demands, as well as a lucrative offer from rival club Ahly. Zizo also questioned the public focus on his contract situation. 'Why hasn't anyone talked about my delayed payments from Zamalek? Why hasn't anyone mentioned that the club left me waiting a long time without extending my contract?' 'Why hasn't anyone pointed out that contract extension talks have come at a late stage in my career, as a footballer?' Zizo continued. The winger also highlighted the offers he had rejected in the past year, saying, 'I turned down offers ten times bigger than the current ones, choosing to wait for Zamalek's proposal.' Zizo reassured Zamalek fans, stating, 'I'm not trying to negotiate or play games. But the other party must also want me to stay.' 'I'm awaiting the club's response until the final day of the Confederation Cup, and I hope to win with my teammates.' He concluded. Since joining Zamalek from Portugal's Moreirense in January 2019, Zizo has been a key player, helping the club secure eight major trophies, including two Egyptian League titles, two CAF Confederation Cups, one Egyptian Super Cup, and two African Super Cups. Over his five seasons at Zamalek, Zizo has scored 84 goals and provided 71 assists in 260 appearances across all competitions. This season, he has played 31 matches, netting eight goals and registering eight assists. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
