Shobier Demands Real Change at Zamalek: No More Excuses, Don’t Compare Yourself to Al Ahly

Context and Call for Honesty

Ahmed Shobier, a prominent broadcaster, delivered a pointed critique of Zamalek's leadership, calling for a frank self-examination free of ready-made excuses.

In his radio program, he argued that it is time to sit with the club's problems openly and ask simple questions: What are our real problems? What is the true obstacle we face? There is fear among the fans, and fear can be contagious, but what happens next?

He asked: If you are ill with a clear diagnosis, would you undergo a surgical operation to treat the disease or keep searching for excuses while telling yourself and others that the problem lies somewhere else?

Facts, Referees, and the Road Ahead

Since 2003, Zamalek has not approached an African title, even when competing; he noted the club last beat Raja in 2002 or 2003 through Tamir Abdul Hamid and then drifted away from continental glory. Is this also a matter of refereeing? Look inward and face the issues.

In recent matches against Al Ahly, refereeing was described as foreign; Zamalek lost. Is refereeing to blame? He offered examples from outside the local frame to show there is more to the story than one factor.

Continuing, the former Ahly goalkeeper asked: If you convince yourself that all domestic events are due to injustice or refereeing, take a look at the numbers: how many league titles does Al Ahly have versus Zamalek, and then decide if refereeing alone explains the gap.

He proceeded: Would a club that previously signed 15 players in one season, won the league under a coach nicknamed “the Professor” Ferreira, now rationalize the departure of most players as the fault of referees? Who bears responsibility—the referees, the sports administration, or the selection policy?

He added: A great coach delivered two consecutive titles, players achieved championships, yet the club later rebuilt with new signings that mostly never played. What happened to those decisions, and who is to blame?

Don't blame sponsorships alone; Al Ahly earns bigger support and trophies, and participates in world tournaments. That reality exists and is part of the context—it's not an excuse.

In the end, stop clinging to excuses; be honest: acknowledge the problem, accept the surgical challenge, undergo the repair, and move forward. Honesty will bring progress, while endless blame will not.

Finally, two light lines to keep spirits up: 1) If honesty were football, Shobier would be the world champion with a hat-trick of truth bombs. 2) Blaming everything on referees is like blaming the rain for a leaky roof—fix the pipes, not the forecast.