Money, godfather or childhood dream: which will Shahat choose?

CAIRO – 21 January 2018: Hussein el-Shahat has been one of the promising talents in the Egyptian football for the last few years since he established himself as a starting player at Misr El-Makassa.

Shahat has attracted the interest of big teams this season, with Al-Ahly and Zamalek each in the race to sign him.

Shahat shined this year with El-Makassa and he was the Egyptian League top goal scorer with nine goals before his club’s decision in January to loan him to Emirati club, Al-Ain.

Al-Ahly

Shahat has not been reticent about his support for Al-Ahly or that his dream is to wear the red devils jersey, even though in December he led his team, El-Makassa, to defeat Al-Ahly 3-2 in the league where he scored the first goal.

Shahat was about to join Al-Ahly in 2013 for free but the club did not complete the deal for him to leave to Misr El-Makassa.

Shahat was spotted last July supporting Al-Ahly with his family from El-Salam Stadium when Al-Ahly defeated NA Hussein Dey at the Arab Club Championship.

Zamalek

Zamalek were always doubtful about being able to sign Shahat as the club is considered Al-Ahly’s most hated rival. Shahat can be seen celebrating passionately whenever he scores against Zamalek.



However, the situation has changed since Zamalek appointed Ehab Galal as their new manager in January.

Galal signed Shahat at El-Makassa when he was rejected by Al-Ahly and Shahat thrived under his tutelage. Galal became like a godfather to him and he would like to work under Galal’s command again especially after he watched his former teammates, Ahmed el-Sheikh, Mido Gaber, Amr Barakat and Hisham Mohamed ,who joined Al-Ahly and failed to earn a spot in the club’s starting 11.

Al-Ain

Shahat has started to gain a place in Al-Ain fans’ hearts since he scored in his debut in the Emirati Classico against Al-Wasl to take his team to the top of the League's table.
Playing in the UAE means he could continue in a competitive league with the biggest club in the country that always secures a place in AFC Champions League; playing in the UAE also means a better financial situation for him and his family.