Abdel Wahed El-Sayed

Full Name: Abdel Wahed El-Sayed Abdel Wahed

Date of Birth: June 3, 1977

Age: 47 years

Place of Birth: Kafr Rabea, Talla, Menofia, Egypt

Height: 1.87 meters (6 feet 1 1⁄2 inches)

Playing Position: Goalkeeper

Nationality: Egyptian

Nickname: The Beast of Africa / Lion of Africa / Waheed, the Lion Heart

Early Life and Career:

• Abdel Wahed El-Sayed was born in Kafr Rabea, a village in the Talla district of Menofia Governorate, Egypt, but grew up in South Sinai Governorate, where he was deeply influenced by his sports environment and became one of the prominent figures in Egyptian football.
• Sports Family: His father, also a goalkeeper, played for Tanta FC in the Egyptian Premier League in the 1960s, where he was awarded the title of Best Goalkeeper in Egypt. This influenced Abdel Wahed's decision to pursue football.

Early Career:

• Joining Zamalek Club: In 1997, Abdel Wahed joined Zamalek SC and initially played in the youth team before progressing to the senior team. He began as a backup goalkeeper but quickly earned his spot as the starting goalkeeper during the 1998/1999 season.
• First Match with the First Team: His first match with Zamalek came on August 14, 1998, against Al-Qana in the Egyptian Premier League, which ended in a 4-1 victory for Zamalek. This marked the beginning of his successful career with the club.

Professional Career:

Zamalek SC (1997–2014):

• Duration: 1997–2014
• Appearances: 504 matches across all competitions.
• Achievements with Zamalek:
  • Egyptian Premier League: 3 times (2000/2001, 2003/2004, 2004/2005).
  • Egyptian Cup: 5 times (1999/2000, 2001/2002, 2007/2008, 2012/2013, 2013/2014).
  • Egyptian Super Cup: Twice (2000, 2001).
  • CAF Champions League: Once (2002).
  • CAF Super Cup: Once (2003).
  • African Cup Winners' Cup: Once (2000).
  • Afro-Asian Cup: Once (1997).
  • Arab Club Championship: Once (2003).
  • Egyptian-Saudi Super Cup: Once (2003).
• Contributions to the Titles: Abdel Wahed El-Sayed was a key player for Zamalek throughout 17 seasons, winning 17 titles with the club. He became the most successful player in the club's history, surpassing many of the club's legends.

Misr El-Maqassa SC (2014–2015):

• After an illustrious career with Zamalek, Abdel Wahed transferred to Misr El-Maqassa for the 2014/2015 season. He played 12 matches for the club before announcing his retirement in 2015.

International Career with Egypt:

• Period: 2003–2013
• Appearances: 38 international matches
• Achievements:
  • Two African Cup of Nations Titles: He won the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt in 2006 and 2010.
  • Participated in four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations (2002, 2004, 2006, 2010).
  • Played in the World Cup qualifiers for both 2006 and 2010 and was a mainstay in Egypt's squad during these campaigns.

Personal Achievements and Records:

1. Most Appearances in the Cairo Derby: Abdel Wahed matched Hossam Hassan's record of playing in 28 Cairo Derby matches against Al Ahly.
2. Most Appearances for Zamalek: He played 368 matches for Zamalek, making him the player with the most appearances in the club's history.
3. Goalkeeper with Most Clean Sheets in Egyptian League History: He reached 100 clean sheets in the Egyptian Premier League, placing him as the sixth goalkeeper in the league's history to achieve this.
4. Record for Most Consecutive Clean Sheets in CAF Champions League: In 2014, he became the first goalkeeper to keep 6 consecutive clean sheets in the CAF Champions League, breaking records held by Essam El-Hadary and Maâz Ben Cherifia.
5. Notable Streaks: Abdel Wahed went for 6 consecutive matches without conceding a goal in the 2002/2003 season, achieving a record of 551 minutes of clean sheets in the Egyptian Premier League.

Skills and Strengths:

• Shot-Stopping Ability: Known for his extraordinary ability to make difficult saves, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Leadership: A seasoned leader for Zamalek, he was the team's captain and played a pivotal role in organizing the defense.
• Composure Under Pressure: He was known for his calmness in critical moments, especially in high-stakes matches like the Cairo Derby against Al Ahly.

Personal Life:

• Early Upbringing: Abdel Wahed grew up in South Sinai, influenced by his family’s sports background.
• Nickname: He is commonly referred to as "Waheed", a nickname that became synonymous with his name among fans and teammates.
• Family Influence: His father’s legacy as a goalkeeper for Tanta FC was a major factor in his decision to pursue a career in football.

Conclusion:

Abdel Wahed El-Sayed is considered one of Egypt’s greatest goalkeepers and is an icon in Zamalek SC history. His career spanned multiple decades, and he remains one of the most decorated players in Egyptian football. His leadership, consistency, and performances in both domestic and international competitions have cemented his place as one of Egypt's football legends.