From White Knight to Red Devil: Zizo’s Historic and Controversial Cairo Crossing
Cairo, Egypt – In a move that has sent shockwaves through Egyptian and African football, Zamalek’s talismanic forward, Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed, has completed a sensational free transfer to arch-rivals Al Ahly. The high-profile deal marks a dramatic and controversial switch between the two most successful and fiercely competitive clubs in the nation & Africa, a rivalry often dubbed the “Cairo Derby” or the “Arab & African Classico.
The transfer of Zizo, a fan favorite and a player widely considered a modern icon at Zamalek, to their most bitter adversaries has ignited a firestorm on social media and among football pundits. The announcement video released by Al Ahly reportedly garnered over 40 million views within 24 hours, a testament to the magnitude of the move.
Zizo, whose full name is Ahmed Mostafa Mohamed Sayed, joins Al Ahly after his contract with Zamalek expired, making the transfer even more contentious as the White Knights receive no fee for their departing star. During his tenure with Zamalek, the 29-year-old Egyptian international was instrumental in securing numerous domestic and continental titles, cementing his status as one of the league’s most valuable players.
The rivalry between Al Ahly and Zamalek is one of the most intense in world football, with deep historical, social, and political roots. Direct transfers of high-profile players between the two Cairo giants are rare and invariably lead to significant controversy and heightened tensions between the clubs and their passionate fan bases.
This move is being hailed as a major coup for Al Ahly, who have significantly strengthened their squad with one of their rival’s most potent attacking threats. For Zamalek and their supporters, the departure of their star player to their fiercest competitor is a bitter pill to swallow and is likely to be a major talking point for seasons to come.
Zamalek’s efforts to contest the transfer were initially blocked on home soil. The club’s first complaint was dismissed by the EFA’s disciplinary committee over a lack of jurisdiction, and the EFA later officially ruled that Zizo’s contract had legally expired with the conclusion of the Cup competition. Undeterred, Zamalek has taken its fight to the international stage, appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the grounds that the high-profile move breached player registration rules.
An immediate debut awaits Zizo on a global stage, as he is expected to join Al Ahly on their trip to the United States next week for the newly expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. The star signing could feature in his first match when the African champions begin their campaign in the tournament’s opening round.
