Zamalek’s Last Stand: Shikabala Sounds the Alarm as the Club Fights to Survive

Shikabala's Call in a Moment of Crisis

Survival Beyond the Pitch

Mahmoud Abdel Razik "Shikabala", the former captain of Zamalek SC, spoke of the anger and frustration currently gripping the White Knights' fans in recent times.

In television interviews on Sunday evening, Shikabala said that Zamalek is a body fighting every day to stay afloat, not for competition, due to ongoing problems and crises, the latest being the club's land withdrawal in 6 October City.

He opened his remarks by expressing happiness with the board's recent statement rejecting the land alternate plan, saying: "As a Zamaleki, I'm glad with the latest statement because for the first time I see the club's board standing with its fans".

He added: "A club with a history of more than 100 years and sporting achievements is part of Egypt's history and deserves backing and help".

He pointed to a sense of helplessness when he sees other clubs taking part in major events like Pyramids, asking: "I myself want to see Zamalek competing in world championships like Pyramids currently does, and this will only happen by escaping the cycle of borrowing, delays, and ongoing punishment".

On the October land crisis, Shikabala said the club had paid substantial money for the land and asked: "Do we pay for the problems of coaches and players or do we repay those who paid their money to invest in the land?", noting that the accumulated figures are huge and the crisis could push them to close the club or rely on youth due to no clear solutions.

He acknowledged mistakes and delays by previous administrations but stressed that the current board has started work, paid funds, and pursued important contracts, which requires standing with it and supporting it.

Wrapping up, Shikabala urged the state to look after Zamalek, asking to break out of the continuous punishment cycle, hoping one day to wake up without a problem and to be able to recruit strong players and move forward.

Punchline (1): If suspense were a tactic, Zamalek would be a sniper’s dream—always aiming for the next deadline, never a clean shot.

Punchline (2): And if patience were a weapon, Zamalek fans would already own a lifetime supply—every press conference another chapter in the saga, with the plot twist sponsored by bureaucracy.