Latest news with #Zizo
Al-Ahram Weekly
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zizo relishes fierce competition in revamped Ahly squad - Egyptian Football
'We have a strong squad, especially after all the new signings. There will be strong competition between all the players, and this is a good thing for the team and the coach, who has plenty of options,' Zizo told the club's official website on Tuesday. The 29-year-old completed a sensational free transfer last month from rivals Zamalek to Ahly, in one of the most high-profile moves in recent Egyptian football history. The record African champions have added eight players to their squad during the close season, including Zizo, defender Yassin Marei, Tunisian midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, goalkeeper Mohamed Seha, defender Ahmed Ramadan, former Aston Villa midfielder Mahmoud Trezeguet, and striker Mohamed Sherif. 'All the players are motivated and will deliver their best performance to help the team win titles,' Zizo said. 'Ahly participates in many tournaments and needs a strong and ready roster with the same quality.' Zizo featured for Ahly in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, making three appearances and registering one assist, despite the team's early exit in the group stage. 'We put in strong performances at the Club World Cup, but we missed several scoring chances. We'll do our best to return to the tournament in the 2029 edition,' he added. Ahly are currently holding a pre-season training camp in Tunisia ahead of the domestic league season, set to kickoff in August. 'It's important for the players to be part of the preparatory camp. Everyone is eager for the new season and motivated to achieve victories,' Zizo said. 'I'm looking forward to scoring my first goal for Ahly. I hope to feature in the opening league match, but I know I need to be patient,' he added. 'I thank the fans for the warm welcome and hope to meet their expectations. I can't wait for the league to start and to play in front of the supporters at Cairo Stadium.' (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:
Arab Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Zizo files complaint against Zamalek over EGP 82 million in unpaid dues
CAIRO, July 9: Ahmed Mostafa 'Zizo,' currently an Al Ahly midfielder, has filed an official complaint through his lawyer, Ashraf Abdel Aziz, to the Players' Affairs Committee, demanding that his former club, Zamalek, settle outstanding financial obligations. According to the complaint, Zizo is owed a total of EGP 82.5 million, which includes unpaid contract dues and bonuses for winning the Egypt Cup during his time at Zamalek. Zizo's lawyer detailed that the player's contract with Zamalek officially ended with the 2024–2025 season, and that the value of his third and final season was EGP 30.8 million, to be paid in ten monthly installments of EGP 3 million each. However, Zamalek has reportedly only paid EGP 1.8 million so far. The complaint states that the remaining EGP 23.9 million of this season's salary, along with other pending installments, remains unpaid — a clear breach of contract terms. The legal team is demanding full settlement in line with the signed agreement. The dispute marks another chapter in Zamalek's ongoing financial and administrative struggles, particularly regarding player salaries and contractual obligations.
Saba Yemen
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
Egyptian player "Zizo" offered to 2 European clubs
Cairo - Saba: Egyptian press reports revealed a shocking surprise regarding Ahmed Sayed "Zizo," who recently joined Al Ahly on a free transfer after his contract with Zamalek expired during the current summer transfer window. According to sports journalist Akram Konur, who specializes in transfer market news, via his account on the "X" platform on Saturday, "Zizo was offered to the Turkish clubs Besiktas and Fenerbahçe, but neither club has announced its interest yet." Konur did not reveal who offered Zizo to the Turkish clubs, nor the position of Al Ahly or the player on this news. Zizo joined the Red Devils this summer on a free transfer after his contract with his former club expired and signed a four-year contract with Al Ahly. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Al-Ahram Weekly
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
End of the line - Sports - Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly served up a breathtaking 4-4 draw against Porto but both were still ousted from the Club World Cup. You would think that any team that scores four goals in one match should win. Not in this match. You would also think that any team that led four times in a match would win. Not in this match. In the third and final group stage game in the Club World Cup being played in the US, Ahly of Egypt and Porto of Portugal played one for the ages, resulting in a thrilling 4-4 tie. But the excitement was all for naught, as on the other hand, Inter Miami of the US and Palmeiras of Brazil fought their own 2-2 draw in the same group and at the same time, which was enough for both latter teams to advance to the knockout stage. Ahly and Porto were sent home but heads were held high after their fascinating encounter. Most Egyptians missed the live action as the two games were played at 4am Cairo time. If you missed it, Ahly and Porto played one of the most entertaining games in the tournament. Ahly had leads of 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3 and yet they all evaporated as they could not escape Porto which clawed back every single time. At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Monday night, Ahly took the lead on 15 minutes with their first goal in the tournament. Porto gave the ball away in Ahly's end, allowing midfielder Hamdi Fathi to advance towards the box, then play in forward Wessam Abou Ali on the left who shot past goalkeeper Claudio Ramos, albeit the ball hitting the bottom of the post first. The lead was short-lived as teenage talent 18-year-old Rodrigo Mora sliced through Ahly's defence before rounding Mohamed Al-Shenawi and rifling home. Shades of Maradona. The pendulum swung back in favour of the Egyptian giants just before the interval as Fabio Vieira tripped up Zizo in the box, allowing Abou Ali to score the resulting penalty, sending Ramos the wrong way. It was the second time in the tournament that Zizo had won a penalty. The end-to-end drama continued in the second half with William Gomes curling home a delightful right-foot strike from outside the box, only for Ahly to respond immediately with a difficult Abou Ali header completing the Palestinian's hat-trick. 3-2 Ahly. Martin Anselmi's men would not be discouraged, though, and were back on terms yet again in their next attack, with Samu Aghehowa rising highest in the box to power home another header from a corner. Yet every time Porto fought back, Ahly would take the lead again as Tunisian Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane found the top corner from range with a fantastic strike. With time running out, and news filtering through of the scoreline in Florida, Pepe scored the final goal in the 89th minute following a night (or day, depending on which continent you live in) of high drama. With the two results, Palmeiras and Inter Miami finished one-two in Group A with five points each and advance to the round of 16. Porto finished third with two points, same as Ahly who finished last, losing third place on goal difference. Abou Ali's hat trick made up for his own goal scored in Ahly's second game with Palmeiras which ended 2-0 for the Brazilians in a match that was suspended for 50 minutes due to the threat of lightning. Ahly's campaign fell short of expectations, starting with a 0-0 draw with Inter Miami in their opener, one in which they could have won had they converted several golden opportunities in the first half. It was always going to be a difficult campaign for Ahly in this new Club World Cup which expanded from seven teams to 32. Even Ahly's illustrious history in this tournament and beyond were not enough to push them to the knockout stages. Ahly, founded in 1907, have won a record 45 national league titles and 39 domestic cups — another record. It qualified for the Club World Cup three times over by winning three of the last four African Champions League titles. The Egyptian giants have participated in the CWC on now 10 occasions and have won four bronze medals. Ahly have the second highest number of appearances at the Club World Cup, two behind New Zealand's Auckland City, who hold the record with 12. Though Ahly finished their CWC journey without a win, with the 4-4 classic they performed in, they can clap back at critics who questioned the wisdom of hiring a coach, Spanish tactician Jose Riveiro, just two weeks before the tournament began. The club would also insist that their offseason trades, especially for Zizo, paid off. In its previous format of just seven teams, the CWC never fully captured global interest. Played in the middle of the season during Europe's top leagues, it had the feel of an exhibition rather than a serious tournament. Imagine in the old format a team reaching the final after playing – and winning – just one game. Now, the winning team must play a total of seven games. This Club World Cup will also henceforth be held every four years instead of one. And it is to be played in the summer. The tournament is being held in the US from 14 June to 13 July, using 12 stadiums in 11 cities for 63 matches. The final will be at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the same stadium that will play host to the 2026 World Cup final. In fact, the Club World Cup will serve mainly as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup which will be jointly hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada. While Ahly did not make it beyond the group stage there is still much cash to be had; the pot has increased tremendously. By just securing places in the tournament, the four African teams participating - Ahly, Esperance of Tunisia, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco - are each guaranteed $9.55 million appearance fees. A win in the group phase will add $2 million, a draw $1 million, and a top-two finish and qualification for the knockout phase $7.5 million. This CWC is one of the richest in professional sports. Prize money of $1 billion will be split between the teams, with the tournament winners earning up to $131 million. Manchester City are the reigning club champion, winning the title in 2023 under the former seven-team format. There was no CWC in 2024. Two Brazilians, Palmeiras and Botafogo, will now meet in the round of 16 while Inter Miama, with Lionel Messi at the helm, meet newly crowned Champions League winners PSG, Messi's former team. * A version of this article appears in print in the 26 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zizo vow Ahly will fight on after Palmeiras setback at Club World Cup
A 49th-minute own goal from striker Wessam Abou Ali and a sharp finish 10 minutes later by Argentine striker José Manuel López handed the South American champions all three points at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night. 'Ahly's supporters have every right to be upset,' the 29-year-old Zizo told MBC Masr 2 after the match. 'It was a very difficult game and there is nothing we can say to justify the defeat. But we will fight against Porto to win and make our fans happy.' Zizo, who joined Ahly from cross-town rivals Zamalek this month, insisted the opener came 'against the run of play' and said the team must raise their level in the decisive fixture. Spanish coach José Riveiro, appointed in late May after leaving South Africa's Orlando Pirates, will need his side to beat Porto – and hope Palmeiras avoid defeat against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami – to secure one of the two quarter-final berths. After two rounds Palmeiras and Inter Miami have four points apiece, while Ahly and Porto are level on one point but separated by goal difference. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
