3 - 9 May 2001
Issue No.532
|
Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 3 - 9 May 2001 Issue No.532 |
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
Topping all else
The league soccer crown was what Zamalek was itching for, writes Alaa Shahine
"Nothing beats winning the league," is a phrase heard from almost every Zamalek supporter after their team won its first league title in seven years and ninth in the club's history. Despite five African trophies and an Egyptian Cup, all collected in the past eight years, the elusive soccer league was the one they wanted the most -- and got.
One of Zamalek's high points this season was beating Ahli 3-1. The win was spearheaded by Khaled El-Ghandour, left
"With our African conquests, we needed the league title to put the icing on the cake," Kamal Darwish, Zamalek's president, told Al-Ahram Weekly. "Our victory this year, which was well-deserved, is a culmination of efforts which took some time since we empowered the coaching staff last season to build a new team," Darwish said.
Following the 1999-2000 season under German coach Otto Pfister, in which Zamalek finished a dismal third, the club's board surprisingly refused to apply its favourite "hire-and-fire" slogan, deciding instead to give Pfister another chance. A number of off-season acquisitions were made which turned the following season around. The club plucked twins Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan from Ahli -- the team Zamalek had been bridesmaid to for six of those seven years -- in one of the more controversial deals in years. Mansoura's duo Walid Abdel-Latif and Tamer Abdel-Hamid also came aboard. The four were bought for around LE3 million. "We faced strong opposition after our shopping spree because of what seemed like sky-high transfer fees," Darwish said. "However, our policy paid dividends and we are on top now."
Money is not an immediate concern, claims Darwish. The club will be given $2,700,000 by FIFA just to play in the World Cup for clubs to be held in July in Spain. "The club's treasury is awash with around LE14,000,000, all coming from football activities," Darwish said. "We sold Tareq El-Said to Belgian side Anderlecht for $1,150,000. We also have profits from our jersey sponsors and TV broadcasting," he added.
In capturing the league title, Zamalek set a few club records along the way. Never had the team won the league so early in the season -- there were two weeks to spare. Never had it garnered more than 60 points; its 3-1 victory over Ittihad of Alexandria on Sunday gave it 62 points with one game still to play. And the team beat Ahli 3-1 in the second-leg match. (You would have to go back more than 40 years for the last time Zamalek put three goals in its rival's goal).
"A number of factors were involved in winning the title, chief among which was stability," Helmi Toulan, Zamalek's assistant coach said. "We want this to continue in order for our domination to continue," Toulan added, referring to rumours on the possible appointment of a new staff of assistants following the election of a new board last month. "I know that the board has agreed to renew Pfister's contract and this is a good sign," Toulan told the Weekly. "However, we demand full support at all levels."
Zamalek's record-breaking season was not limited to local achievements. The club won the African Cup Winners Cup. As for the World Cup for clubs, it will be the first Egyptian team to participate in what is considered one of the world's football showpieces.
Toulan ruled out any miraculous achievements in Spain. "It is a tough championship and a tough group so do not burden us with dreams like qualifying for the next round," he said. Zamalek will play in Group One along with Spanish hosts and last year's league champions Deportivo La Corouna, South American giants Boca Juniors of Argentina and Australian side Wollongong Wolves. "All what we hope is to present a good image of African football which we represent," he said.
Preparing for the tournament, Zamalek will train in Holland as part of a deal with its jersey sponsors. The club also plans to go to Germany with the cooperation of German side Frieburg which recently acquired Zamalek's former Mali striker Ismail Kolibali. Preparations also include a friendly tournament in Romania.
"I think the preparations will be more than adequate and will match our ambitions," Toulan said. "We hope to do our best against the world's giants. We do not lack the spirit. Just wish us well."
© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||
| ARCHIVES Letter from the Editor Editorial Board Subscription Advertise! |
WEEKLY ONLINE: www.ahram.org.eg/weekly Updated every Saturday at 11.00 GMT, 2pm local time weeklyweb@ahram.org.eg |
 Al-Ahram Organisation |
Recommend this page