Sports commentator Khaled El-Ghandour sparked a wave of controversy and sharp criticism following his recent comments on Al Ahly’s performance in their crucial match against Palmeiras. On his official Facebook page, El-Ghandour did not hesitate to express his deep disappointment with the team’s level, saying: “Al Ahly did not perform at the expected level, and where was Zizo today? The difference in performance was very clear and disappointing, especially for a large and historic fan base like Al Ahly’s. Is there really still hope with this kind of performance?”

The match, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, as part of the group stage of the international friendly tournament, ended with a painful 2-0 loss for Al Ahly against Brazilian side Palmeiras.

The game saw an unexpected first goal in the 49th minute, when Al Ahly player Wissam Abu Ali scored an own goal with a mistaken header that ended up in goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy’s net, which clearly affected the team’s morale. Then in the 58th minute, Palmeiras added a second goal from a quick and organized counterattack, as Al Ahly’s defense failed to cope with the speed and skill of the Brazilian attack.
This defeat raised serious concerns among fans and sports analysts, who questioned the reasons behind the team’s decline, whether in terms of lineup, tactical plan, or even the players’ mental state. El-Ghandour also pointed out the absence of the team’s star player Zizo, who was expected to make a difference in such critical matches, adding more questions about the players’ readiness and their ability to face upcoming tournament challenges.

This comes amid increasing pressure on the club’s technical and administrative staff, as efforts intensify to reorganize and restore the winning momentum that would bring Al Ahly back to its prestigious position.