The epic tale of Ahmed Sayed, or Zizo, has been in the news and social media for almost two weeks regarding his football future and the club he will join. Nothing is clear yet but what is known is that his club Zamalek issued an official statement cutting all ties with the player.
Zamalek said they were ending their relationship with Zizo following “recent developments surrounding the player’s future”. His contract with the club is set to expire at the end of this season.
Zizo was excluded from the squad for the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final second leg against South Africa’s Stellenbosch amid reports that the player had signed a preliminary contract with rivals Ahly who have not responded to the statement.
However, though nothing is confirmed, various conflicting reports marred Zamalek’s preparations for the game which they ultimately lost and were knocked out of the tournament as the title holders.
The player has remained tight-lipped about his future. Zizo denied reports regarding his possible departure, stressing that he is waiting for the club to meet his financial demands and renew his contract.
The Zamalek statement confirmed that all negotiations with Zizo had reached a dead end, and that the player will not be part of the team beyond the expiration of his current contract. The club has also referred Zizo to internal disciplinary proceedings over what it described as “offensive and misleading” public remarks made by the player.
Zamalek said it believed that Zizo had officially signed for Ahly based on him acquiring a travel visa from the US Embassy in Egypt as part of Ahly’s team going to the Club World Cup scheduled to be held in Miami in June.
Zamalek officials believe that since they had not provided Zizo with a letter to the embassy confirming him with the club, then the player must have submitted a letter from Ahly which confirms his signing with the red team.
In Zizo’s absence, it is believed Zamalek’s Portuguese coach José Peseiro will probably rely on veteran playmaker Abdullah Al-Said and talented fullback Mahmoud Bentayg.
Zizo is one of Egypt’s best players, consistently selected for the national team.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 17 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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