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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 - 30 June 1999 Issue No. 435 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 - 30 June 1999 Issue No. 435
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Interview Travel Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters The exodus
By Eman Abdel-MoetiStar Ahli defender Mohamed Youssef will soon be wearing a jersey other than that of his club of six years when he joins Turkey's Odenzeli at the start of the season. The move is part of a trend, which began mainly last year, that has seen almost a dozen Egyptian players -- four from Ahli -- seek their fortunes abroad.
Youssef, 30, is leaving Ahli for purely financial reasons. Although a stalwart on the team, he had frequently complained that his pay was not nearly enough. "There was no hope of getting a raise from the club," Youssef said in a recent interview. He said he was promised a bonus by businessmen who support the club, but added that the money never materialised.
Meanwhile, team-mates Walid Salah and Hossam Hassan, the club's star strikers, received hefty pay raises at the end of the 1998-1999 season, something which galled Youssef even more.
In desperation, he said he leaked a rumour to the press that he was negotiating with Zamalek, Ahli's arch rival, but that, too, failed to change management's stand. With a wife and two kids, and hitting 30, an age which for most footballers means time is no longer on their side, he had to think of the future. "It was time to plan ahead," he said. "I talked to Ahmed Hassan [former Ismaili midfielder now playing in Turkey as well] to fix me up with a FIFA agent last season." When the deal with Odenzeli was struck, one more request for a raise was made -- and denied. Instead, Ahli announced the recruitment of two new defenders from Kouroum following well-publicised talks, Sayed Abdel-Aziz and Mohamed Shadi. The transfer, Ahli said, would cost over half-a-million Egyptian pounds, leaving little left for Youssef.
While Youssef may benefit from the transfer, what does it mean for Ahli? Several experts say it can only hurt an already depleted back line. At the start of this year, the club lost the services of Samir Kammouna and in mid-season lost Mohamed Emara. Both left for Germany, jeopardising the team's hammerlock hold on the league title which it recently won for the sixth consecutive year.
Mohamed youssef in the International Tournament in Korea
(photo: AP)
The larger picture suggests similar woes for other clubs. Including Youssef, there are currently 10 Egyptian players abroad. Four play in Germany, four in Turkey, one in Holland and one in Austria. Four are originally from Ahli, three from Zamalek and one each from the Arab Contractors, Ismaili and Mehalla. The exodus began shortly after Egypt won the 1998 African Nations Cup in Burkina Faso. Most of the players were quickly snatched up by foreign clubs always on the lookout for new talent. The move abroad has been welcomed by national team coach Mahmoud El-Gohari who firmly believes the players who do go overseas will be of immense benefit when they return to play for their national side.
But on the club level, the situation is different. Despite the money the club receives for a transfer, they lose obviously gifted and experienced players often difficult to replace.
Ahli fans were angered by what they saw as disloyalty by Youssef, who now becomes the last of the club's big-name defenders. In addition, Ahli stands to gain nothing from his departure. Because he has signed on the dotted line just as his old contract with Ahli was about to expire, Ahli will not get any percentage of the money Youssef will receive from his new club.
But Youssef does not believe Ahli is in immediate danger. "With two new defenders, I knew I was not putting Ahli in trouble," Youssef said. And he insists he is doing the right thing. "It was a smart move at the right time."
