Yearender 2024: Egyptian sports see mix of triumphs, setbacks

Mahmoud Elassal , Saturday 28 Dec 2024

In 2024, Egyptian sports experienced a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks as athletes and teams from the nation left their mark on the global stage.

Year ender

 

From a mediocre performance at the Paris Olympics to victories in continental competitions, the year was filled with memorable moments showcasing Egyptian sportspeople's resilience and talent.

Paris Olympics highlights
 


Egyptian team parades along the Seine river in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics. AP

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Egyptian delegation, the largest in the country's history with 164 athletes and 16 substitutes, made headlines with remarkable achievements.

The Egyptians only claimed three medals from a projected 10.

Ahmed Elgendy shone brightly, capturing the gold in Modern Pentathlon and a world record.

Weightlifter Sara Ahmed Samir secured a silver in the women's 81kg category, while fencer Mohamed Elsayed took home a bronze.

The young football Pharaohs made history by reaching the Olympic semifinals for the first time in sixty years. However, they conceded a heartbreak against France (3-1) and were thrashed by Morocco (6-0) in the third-place contest.

However, the journey also saw setbacks, with top fencer Ziad Elsissy missing out on a medal and the national handball team falling short of their Olympic aspirations in the quarterfinals.

Ahly, Zamalek triumph

 

Egyptian powerhouses Ahly and Zamalek added to the country's sporting glory by clinching prestigious continental titles.

Ahly claimed a record-extending 12th CAF Champions League trophy after beating Espérance of Tunisia in the final.

Zamalek triumphed in the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup, winning their first African title since 2019. The Whites also beat arch-rivals Ahly in the African Super Cup to complete the double.

Salah’s milestones, uncertain future


Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. AFP

In the realm of football, Mohamed Salah continued to make waves.

Celebrating his 100th international appearance for Egypt in September 2024, Salah’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

In 2024, he achieved remarkable milestones by scoring 227 goals for Liverpool and 168 in the Premier League.

Despite his outstanding performance, Salah’s exclusion from the 2024 Men’s African Player of the Year nominees and contract uncertainties have raised speculation about his future in European football.

Omar Marmoush’s rise
 


File Photo: Frankfurt's Egyptian forward #07 Omar Marmoush celebrates scoring the 3-0 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Bochum in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. AFP

Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush has been a standout performer since joining Frankfurt, attracting interest from top clubs like Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United.

With impressive stats of 18 goals and 12 assists in 23 appearances, Marmoush's star continues to rise in European football. 

He has been rumoured to be on the radar of several European giants and could be on the move as early as January.

Hossam Hassan's success with Egypt
 


File Photo: Egyptian national football coach Hossam Hassan reacts after the match with Mauritania. Photo courtesy of EFA Facebook page.

The long wait is over for Hossam Hassan. Egypt's iconic striker was appointed the Pharaohs' coach in February after the team exited the Africa Cup of Nations.

Hossam Hassan's impact as the head of the Egypt national team has been significant, leading the Pharaohs to book an early spot in the Morocco AFCON 2025 finals and topping Group A in the 2026 African World Cup qualifiers.

Egyptian squash players' triumphs
 


File Photo: Egyptian squash players pose for an image after winnning WSF World Squash Team Championship 2024. Photo courtesy of World Team Squash Championships website.

 

Egyptian squash players showcased their pride as they made history at the Hong Kong Football Club, clinching the WSF World Squash Team Championships titles.

Egypt emerged victorious over England and the USA in the finals of the WSF World Squash Team Championships, the competition's inaugural edition to feature both men’s and women’s championships simultaneously.

Moreover, world No. 2 Nouran Gohar emerged victorious over compatriot Nour El Sherbini to capture her first-ever women's PSA World Championship title.

Nouran Gohar and Mostafa Asal won the 2024 British Open, triumphing over their compatriots Nour El-Sherbini and Ali Farag in the final matches.

Egyptian squash star Nour El-Tayeb, a former world number three, announced her retirement after a two-decade-long career that saw her amass 16 international titles.

Mayar Sherif makes history


Egyptian tennis star Mayar Sherif celebrates after winning the the Buenos Aires Open trophy. Photo courtesy of Mayar Sherif Instagram.
 

Egyptian tennis star Mayar Sherif performed remarkably at the Madrid Open in April 2024 as she secured a spot in the third round of the prestigious tournament.

This triumph marks Sherif's first consecutive tour-level win since her memorable run to the semifinals of the 2023 Palermo tournament, a remarkable achievement that unfolded nine months ago.

Moreover, Mayar Sherif jumped 24 positions in the world ranking after winning the Buenos Aires Open title in December 2024. She ranked 68th with 929 points.

The Buenos Aires Open is Sherif's seventh title in the WTA 125, the second-highest level of women's tennis competitions.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: