Mehdi Suleiman’s Zamalek Dilemma: Rotation, Promises, and a Congo-like Confusion Ahead of CAF Clash
27 November 2025
Background and Controversy
Mehdi Suleiman’s future at Zamalek has become a hot topic after fresh developments around his status. Close to the player say he has not received any formal notification of an investigation, and his absence from the South Africa trip was explained as tactical rotation, not punishment. The goalkeeper responded to rumors by posting a photo from the final training session before departure, signaling he is fit and involved in training.
Inside the club, officials say Mehdi did not commit any violation warranting investigation, and his non-travel occurred as the technical staff rotates between him, Mohamed Awad, and Mohamed Sobhi, with the young Mahmoud El Shenawy traveling as the third.
However, other sources suggest the player feels sidelined after oral assurances from sports director John Edward at the start of the season that he would be the team's first-choice, assurances that apparently cannot be realized given the fierce competition.
He was surprised these promises were not achievable given competition; the coach Ahmed Abdul-Roaf (Ahmed Abdul-Raouf) said that Awad and Sobhi are the main options.
He has missed some training days recently without a convincing explanation. Zamalek has opened an official investigation into his absence and fined him by docking part of his wages pending the investigation results.
Mehdi Suleiman joined Zamalek in the summer transfer window on a free transfer from Al Ittihad Alexandria, bringing with him rich experience from Enppi, Pyramids, Smouha, and Ghazl El Mahalla.
African Preparations
In parallel, Zamalek continued preparations for their CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage match away to Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa, training at Peter Mokaba Stadium. Ahmed Abdul-Raouf led a technical session emphasizing tactical plans and set-piece ideas, followed by a technical division training session in the closing drill, with administrative staff in attendance to support the delegation.
The Whites are set to meet Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, 29 November, after their 1-0 victory over Zesco United in the opening round of the group.
Mehdi Suleiman’s Instagram post from training, the absence controversy, and the rotation policy all hang over this fixture as Zamalek eyes a positive result in Johannesburg.
Punchline 1: In football, timing is everything—and in this saga, Mehdi’s timing has a habit of rotating faster than the ball in a windy crossbar contest.
Punchline 2: If rumor-mongering counted as goals, the transfer window would be the league’s top scorer, and the press box would need a goalie just to manage the leaks.
