Gamal El-Zahiry Reveals Abu Rida’s Support for Increasing Egyptian Clubs in African Competitions
Sports critic Gamal El-Zahiry revealed that Hany Abu Rida supports the idea of increasing the number of Egyptian clubs participating in African competitions, stressing that the goal is to serve Egyptian football rather than benefit a specific club, while also clarifying Al Ahly’s position.
🔥📢 The idea of increasing the number of Egyptian clubs participating in African competitions has sparked wide debate recently, especially with the new season approaching and Egyptian teams seeking a stronger presence on the continental stage. ⚽🏆
In this context, sports critic Gamal El-Zahiry revealed the position of Hany Abu Rida, President of the Egyptian Football Association, regarding proposals to change the participation system in African tournaments in the coming period.
🇪🇬 Abu Rida Supports Increasing Egyptian Participation
Gamal El-Zahiry explained that Hany Abu Rida supports the idea of increasing the number of Egyptian clubs participating in continental competitions, noting that his moves come from a desire to support Egyptian football in general rather than serve a specific club.
📢 El-Zahiry said that the main goal of this step is to give Egyptian clubs more opportunities to compete in African tournaments, which would help improve Egyptian football and increase exposure to different football styles across the continent.
He added that increasing the number of participating clubs could provide more teams with valuable continental experience and contribute to stronger African competitions in the future.
🏆 El-Zahiry Supports the Idea but With Conditions
Gamal El-Zahiry confirmed that he supports increasing the number of Egyptian clubs in African competitions, but believes that the decision should be implemented starting from next season rather than the current one.
🔥 He explained that changing the participation system at this stage could create several problems, especially since clubs have already started preparing for the new season based on the current competition format.
He pointed out that any changes to regulations require careful study and proper planning to avoid affecting competition fairness or creating confusion among participating teams.
🦅 Al Ahly’s Position on African Participation
El-Zahiry also discussed Al Ahly’s position regarding the controversy over participation in the CAF Champions League, confirming that the club has not submitted any official request to participate.
He said: "Al Ahly did not request participation, but those responsible for organizing competitions understand the value of having major clubs with large fan bases like Al Ahly."
⭐ He explained that the presence of popular clubs gives African tournaments additional strength from both marketing and fan perspectives due to their huge supporter bases.
🌍 Major Clubs Increase Tournament Value
Gamal El-Zahiry stressed that the absence of any major club with a large fan base clearly affects the value of a tournament, whether in terms of viewership or commercial impact.
🔥 He confirmed that clubs such as Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Moroccan club Wydad represent important additions to any competition because of their history, popularity, and media influence.
He added that developing African competitions requires greater involvement from strong clubs while maintaining a fair system for all teams.
⚽ The Future of Egyptian Participation in Africa
Egyptian clubs are waiting for upcoming decisions regarding the African competition system, especially with many teams seeking greater opportunities to appear on the continental stage.
🏆 The coming period is expected to witness wide discussions about developing African tournaments in a way that serves both Egyptian and African football.
🔥 The issue of increasing the number of participating clubs remains one of the most important topics that could reshape African competitions in the coming years, especially with the continued growth of Egyptian clubs and their ambitions for continental success.
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