Ekrame Ahmed El-Shahat, also known as "The Beast of Africa" by football fans, is one of Egypt’s football legends and a cornerstone of Al Ahly SC's history. Below is a detailed biography of his career and personal life:
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Ekrame Ahmed El-Shahat
- Date of Birth: October 14, 1954
- Place of Birth: Suez, Egypt
- Height: 1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inches)
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Children: Ahmed Ekrame (late) – Sherif Ekrame (former goalkeeper of Al Ahly and Egypt national team)
Early Career and Development:
- Joining Al Ahly:
Ekrame joined Al Ahly's youth academy in 1969, where he quickly rose through the ranks. Within a short time, he was promoted to the first team in 1971, marking the beginning of his illustrious career with the club.
Professional Career:
- Al Ahly SC (1971 – 1987):
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In the 1972/1973 season, Ekrame was given his first start in a league match for Al Ahly against Ittihad Alexandria, resulting in a loss for Al Ahly 1-0. Despite the poor start, coach Abdu Saleh El-Wahsh insisted on keeping him in goal and gave him another chance. Ekrame's career began to flourish after that match, and he became one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the club's history.
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Over the years, Ekrame played over 332 official matches for Al Ahly, breaking the club record previously held by legendary goalkeeper Adel Heikal.
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He won numerous trophies with Al Ahly, including:
- 10 Egyptian Premier League titles
- 5 Egypt Cup titles
- 3 African Cup of Champions Clubs (now known as the CAF Champions League)
- 1 Arab Champions League title
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Record Achievement:
Ekrame surpassed Adel Heikal’s record by playing for 14 consecutive seasons and became the most capped goalkeeper in Al Ahly's history. -
Retirement:
Ekrame decided to retire from professional football in 1987, after spending 18 years at Al Ahly, where he had established himself as one of the best goalkeepers Egypt has ever produced.
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International Career:
- Egypt National Team (1974 – 1985):
- Despite fierce competition for the goalkeeper spot, Ekrame earned 50 international caps for Egypt during his career.
- One of his most notable achievements with the national team was winning the Palestine Cup in Tunisia in 1975.
- Ekrame also represented Egypt in the Olympic Games in 1980 (Moscow) and 1984 (Los Angeles).
- He was a key player in the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt made significant strides in international competitions.
- Ekrame retired from international football in 1985 after a successful stint with Egypt.
Coaching Career:
After retiring from playing, Ekrame turned to coaching, particularly in training goalkeepers, and served in various roles at Al Ahly:
- Al Ahly SC (1998 – 1999, 2003):
- In 1998, Ekrame became the goalkeeping coach at Al Ahly, where he worked with some of the top goalkeepers in Egypt, such as Essam El-Hadary, Ahmed Shobier, and Amir Abdel-Hamid.
- Under his guidance, Al Ahly won several major titles, including a record seven consecutive Egyptian Premier League titles (a record that still stands).
- He returned to the coaching role in 2003, continuing his work with Al Ahly’s goalkeepers.
- He currently holds the position of goalkeeping coach for Al Ahly's youth sector, mentoring the next generation of goalkeepers.
Achievements:
Al Ahly SC:
- 10 Egyptian Premier League titles
- 5 Egypt Cup titles
- 3 CAF Champions League titles
- 1 Arab Champions League title
Egypt National Team:
- Palestine Cup 1975
- Olympic Games 1980 (Moscow) & 1984 (Los Angeles)
Coaching Achievements:
- 7 consecutive Egyptian Premier League titles.
- Developed top goalkeepers in Egypt and Africa.
Personal Life:
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Ahmed Ekrame (Late Son):
Ekrame's late son Ahmed Ekrame was a former goalkeeper for Al Ahly and the Egypt U-17 National Team, who won the African U-17 Championship in Botswana in 1997 and represented Egypt in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Egypt the same year. He tragically passed away in 2006. -
Sherif Ekrame:
Ekrame’s other son, Sherif Ekrame, is a former goalkeeper for Al Ahly and Egypt's national team. He played for clubs like Pyramids FC and was once a goalkeeper for Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Film Career:
Ekrame also made a mark in the Egyptian film industry, where he appeared in several movies, often playing the role of a footballer or portraying his own persona:
- "Ragel Faqad 'Aqlahu" (1980)
- "Morsy Fawq Morsy Taht" (1981)
- "Ya Rab Walad" (1984)
- "Ehna Betou' El-Es'af" (1984)
Conclusion:
Ekrame Ahmed El-Shahat is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Egyptian and African football history. His career, both as a player and a coach, left a lasting impact on Al Ahly SC, Egyptian football, and African football. He helped mold the future of many legendary goalkeepers and continues to play a crucial role in shaping young talent.
