Cleopatra Says Kendouci Move to Zamalek Was Never Blocked — A Clear-Eyed Take on Transfers

Ambition Behind the Bench

Ceramica Cleopatra publicly denied rumors that they blocked Ahmed Kendouci’s potential move to Zamalek over any prearranged deal with Al Ahly. Kendouci had joined Cleopatra on loan from Al Ahly and later moved to Lugano, and Cleopatra insists he was never prevented from leaving.

Earlier reports suggested Cleopatra refused transfers to Zamalek or Pyramids FC due to a supposed agreement with Al Ahly, but Kendouci ultimately joined Lugano in Switzerland.

Moataz Al Batawi, the general football supervisor, said Kendouci is a talented player who delivered strong showings for Cleopatra, but is no longer part of the plan after his move to Lugano. He stressed Cleopatra maintains good relations with all clubs, especially Zamalek, and that there were no direct negotiations that blocked Kendouci’s path. He also noted that Al Ahly were pursuing right-back Ahmed Hani in the recent window, though talks stalled at the last moment.

Al Batawi underscored that Cleopatra refuses to be used as a bridge for moves between rivals: “If we sign a player from Zamalek or send one to Zamalek, we do not want to be treated as a stepping stone.” He added, “We are a big club, and players must come here of their own accord and with conviction.”

He recalled that Al Ahly had indeed shown interest in Ahmed Hani, but negotiations collapsed late in the process.

"We are a big club, and players must come here of their own accord and with conviction," he said, reaffirming Cleopatra’s stance on respect and autonomy in player movements.

Ali Maher: Unstoppable Ambition

Al Batawi praised head coach Ali Maher, highlighting his relentless ambition and its positive ripple effects on the team. “Ali Maher never stops chasing bigger dreams; that mindset translates into our results,” he noted, pointing to the coach’s long daily grind with the squad.

He added that leading the league gives the team great confidence as they aim to consolidate their top spot. The technical and physical progress of the players has been evident thanks to the hard work of the coaching staff.

Egyptian Premier League Surge

Cer Cleopatra currently leads the Egyptian Premier League table with 20 points from 10 games, recording six wins, two draws, and two losses. They have scored 12 goals and conceded four. The latest league win, 2-0 over Talaea El Gaish, featured goals from Marwan Osman and Saad Samir.

The club is known for close ties with Al Ahly, especially in player exchanges. Earlier, Al Ahly brought in Ahmed Ramadan Beckham on loan and Mohammed Shukri, while Cleopatra acquired Karim El Debes on loan, Amr Solia on a permanent transfer, and Karim Nidifed, with Saad Din Samir among the earlier departures.

Cup and Club History

Cer Cleopatra is preparing for the Egyptian Super Cup, scheduled in the United Arab Emirates from 6 to 9 November. Cleopatra will begin against Al Ahly in the semi-final at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on 6 November. This marks Cleopatra’s third consecutive appearance at the Super Cup, with the draw pitting them against Al Ahly in the semi-finals each time.

Before heading to the UAE, Cleopatra will play two league games: against Petrojet on 26 October and against Ismaili on 2 November.

Cer Cleopatra: A Club History

Cer Cleopatra was founded in the 2006-2007 period, initially competing in company tournaments before officially entering football governance and starting in the fourth division in 2007-2008. They climbed to the Second Division, then earned promotion to the Premier League in 2019-2020 under coach Hytham Shehban, dominating from week one to the last and clinching promotion with a goalless draw against Ghazl El Mahalla.

In 2022-2023, the team claimed its first major trophy, the Egyptian League Cup, and defended it in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, including a 2-0 victory over the Bank of mostafa. The club’s rise has been marked by strategic player exchanges and a strong leadership culture that keeps Cleopatra in the conversation for domestic silverware.

Note: figures and club histories reflect the article’s content and context. End of factual core, start of lighthearted season’s humor.

Punchline 1: If transfers were a sniper rifle, some clubs would miss the target—thankfully, Cleopatra keeps their shots on target and their press conferences on par with a well-timed meme. Punchline 2: In football, the only thing sharper than a striker’s finish is a well-crafted club PR—clearly, Cleopatra’s not just aiming for trophies, but for crystal-clear communications too.