The president of Al Ittihad Alexandria has hailed a crucial goal from Mohamed Magdy Afsha as a turning point for the club, following a 2-1 win over ZED FC in the Egyptian Premier League.
Speaking after the match, Mohamed Moselhi said the victory helped ease recent frustrations after a challenging run of results, while also outlining broader ambitions for the club’s future on and off the pitch.
In radio comments, Moselhi made clear that stabilising performances remains a top priority, particularly after what he described as a difficult start to the campaign.
“We aspire to finish the league in a good position, and we are working to end the many crises we are suffering from and to deliver a performance befitting the history of Al-Ittihad Alexandria.”
Difficult beginnings and efforts to stabilise
Moselhi acknowledged that the early stages of the season had posed significant challenges, both in terms of results and internal issues. He credited former coach Tamer Mostafa for his contribution during a turbulent period, as well as the club’s recruitment strategy in the winter transfer window.
He said: “The beginnings of the league were very difficult, and I thank Tamer Mostafa for what he provided to Al-Ittihad Alexandria during the past period, and the winter deals in order to avoid the specter of relegation.”
The president also referenced the managerial situation involving Miloud Hamdi, noting that while the coach had previously impressed with Ismaily SC, circumstances at the time limited his impact.
“Miloud Hamdi performed strongly with Ismaily, but the club’s circumstances were very difficult, and this is the secret behind his failure to succeed with the Darawish.”
Afsha’s impact and hopes for continuity
Central to Moselhi’s remarks was the influence of Afsha, whose goal secured the victory and lifted morale within the squad and fanbase.
“Afsha’s goal made up for all the sad moments in Al-Ittihad Alexandria’s previous matches. Who doesn’t love Afsha? If it were up to me, I wouldn’t let him go.”
The player’s arrival, facilitated through cooperation with Al Ahly SC, was also highlighted as an example of successful collaboration between clubs.
“I thank Al Ahly for their cooperation in this deal, and Walid Salah El Din played a role in Afsha’s transfer to Al Ittihad, and I hope he will continue with us next season.”
Moselhi’s comments suggest the club is keen to retain Afsha beyond the current arrangement, recognising his importance to the team’s attacking output and overall morale.
Openness to structural change in Egyptian football
Beyond on-field matters, Moselhi addressed the wider issue of restructuring within Egyptian football, particularly the idea of merging traditional fan-based clubs with investment-backed entities.
“I have no problem with the issue of merging popular clubs with investment clubs, and I met with the Minister of Sports to develop a mechanism by the state regarding the merger issue, but the implementation mechanisms in this matter need a long time, but it is a very important step.”
His remarks indicate that discussions are already underway at governmental level, although he acknowledged that any such transformation would require careful planning and time to implement.
Momentum builds amid cautious optimism
Al Ittihad Alexandria’s narrow victory over ZED may represent more than just three points, offering a psychological boost after a difficult spell. With Afsha emerging as a key figure and leadership open to structural reforms, the club appears to be navigating both immediate challenges and long-term ambitions. Whether this renewed optimism translates into sustained progress on the pitch remains to be seen.
