Abdel Zaher El-Sakka is a former Egyptian football player, known for playing as a defender. He was famous for his strong defensive abilities and physical strength. He played for several Egyptian and Turkish clubs, achieving great success both locally and internationally.
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Abdel Zaher Abdel Allah El-Sakka
- Date of Birth: January 30, 1974
- Place of Birth: Mansoura, Egypt
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Height: 184 cm
- Position: Defender
Professional Career:
Early Years with El-Mansoura (1995 - 1999):
Abdel Zaher El-Sakka began his football career at El-Mansoura SC, where he played for the first team from 1995 to 1999. This period marked the beginning of his career, gaining experience and skills that led him to join one of the major Turkish clubs.
Move to Turkey:
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Denizlispor (1999 - 2002): In 1999, El-Sakka moved to Denizlispor in Turkey, where he began to establish himself as a professional player in the Turkish league. He played for three years, appearing in 66 matches and scoring 4 goals. This period was crucial in his career, setting the stage for his successful Turkish football journey.
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Gençlerbirliği (2002 - 2005): In 2002, El-Sakka joined Gençlerbirliği in Turkey, where he played for three seasons. He made 100 appearances and scored 6 goals, helping the team achieve solid results in the Turkish league and becoming a key player in defense.
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Konya Şehirspor (2005 - 2007): In 2005, El-Sakka moved to Konya Şehirspor, where he played for two seasons, participating in 67 matches and scoring 4 goals. He continued to build a solid reputation as a reliable defender.
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Gençlerbirliği (2007 - 2009): El-Sakka returned to Gençlerbirliği in 2007, where he played for two years. This second spell at the club allowed him to maintain his strong defensive performance.
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Eskişehirspor (2009 - 2010): In 2009, El-Sakka joined Eskişehirspor, playing for one season and appearing in 37 matches, scoring one goal. This season marked a transitional phase in his career before his return to Egypt.
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Enppi (2010 - 2012): In 2010, El-Sakka returned to Egypt and joined Enppi SC, where he played for two years. He made 24 appearances and scored one goal. Despite being in the later stages of his career, his experience and leadership were invaluable to the team.
International Career:
Egypt National Team: Abdel Zaher El-Sakka was part of the Egyptian national team for a long period, representing his country in many continental and international tournaments. Among his major achievements with Egypt was winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006 and 2010, where he was part of the golden generation that dominated African football.
Notable International Appearances:
- Africa Cup of Nations 2006: El-Sakka played a crucial role in Egypt's victory in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, helping the team lift the trophy after defeating Ivory Coast in the final.
- Africa Cup of Nations 2010: He won his second Africa Cup of Nations title in Angola in 2010, where Egypt triumphed over Ghana in the final.
- FIFA Confederations Cup 2009:
El-Sakka also represented Egypt in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, where Egypt played against Brazil, and El-Sakka scored two goals in a thrilling 4-3 loss to Brazil.
International Goals:
- El-Sakka scored several goals for Egypt, with highlights including goals in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and a friendly match against England in 2010 at Wembley Stadium, where Egypt won 3-1.
Achievements:
With Egypt:
- Africa Cup of Nations:
- 2006 (Egypt)
- 2010 (Angola)
With Clubs:
- Turkish League:
- 2001 with Denizlispor
- Turkish Cup:
- 2005 with Gençlerbirliği
Personal Life:
After retiring from football, Abdel Zaher El-Sakka chose to stay out of the spotlight, though he remained indirectly connected to sports. He is remembered as a committed player both on and off the field and is considered one of the key players in Turkish football and Egyptian football history.
In conclusion, Abdel Zaher El-Sakka is one of the prominent defenders in the history of Egyptian and international football. Although his international career had challenges, he made significant contributions to the Egyptian national team and achieved great success in the Turkish league
