Fierce competition between goalies at Ahli and Zamalek seems to be inevitable after the Cairo pair landed new custodians this summer. Ahli opted to sign well-built keeper Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud from Mansoura as they are still hoping to have a shot-stopper of Essam Al-Hadari's caliber. On the other hand, Al-Hadari left Ismaili in the close season to join Ahli's arch-rivals Zamalek. The latter deal raised doubts over the long-term future of Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed, who has been the Whites' number one for many years. Three Keepers at Ahli Even though Ahli had signed Sherif Ekrami from Gouna in January, the Egyptian champions brought in Aboul-Saoud. Now they have three keepers at their disposal. Inexperienced keeper Ahmed Adel was given a go by Ahli in the first half of last term. He was relatively consistent but failed to convince the coaching staff with his capabilities. The 23-year-old was demoted to deputy keeper after the arrival of Ekrami, who also couldn't rise to prominence over the past months.
Aboul-Saoud Consequently, the Red Devils landed 22-year-old Aboul-Saoud after he impressed with Mansoura last season. Aboul-Saoud could well force Ekrami to play second fiddle to him while Adel's chance to get some first-team football is now too slim. "I will be vying strongly with Ekrami and Adel for the regular spot," Aboul-Saoud told Goal.com after completing his move to Ahli. "The competition between the three of us will be in the team's best interest." Al-Sayed or Al-Hadari? Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed and Al-Hadari will be seeking to outshine each other at Zamalek but the competition between both guardians will only get underway in the second half of next season. Al-Sayed will most probably retain his status as Zamalek's first-choice goalie during the suspension of Al-Hadari. "There will be no problems as long as I play on a regular basis. Al-Hadari is already banned for four months," Al-Sayed said. "If he becomes Zamalek's first-choice keeper afterwards, I will consider my options." Thirty-seven-year-old Al-Hadari illegitimately exited Ahli in 2008 to move to Switzerland's Sion, which caused him to be banned later on.
Who will win the regular spot at Zamalek? Al-Hadari sought Ahli's forgiveness more than once over the past two years but the six-time African champions stood firm on their decision not to bring him back. He joined Ismaili last summer but opted to leave prematurely due to the coastal club's financial crunch, ending up at Zamalek; the traditional foes of his old club Ahli. Al-Hadari will serve his suspension till the winter and then will be looking to snatch the sole starting berth at Zamalek from Al-Sayed. "The presence of two excellent goalkeepers in one team should not be a problem," Al-Hadari told FilGoal.com. "I believe that such competitions could only be healthy. It will benefit the club, definitely. "The technical staff will eventually have the final word over who should occupy the goalkeeping position." Al-Hadari is widely considered the best goalie in the country's history, having played a major role in Egypt's three successive African Cup of Nations triumphs in 2006, 2008 and 2010. The highly-rated goalie, who has been the Pharaohs' regular since 2002, also helped Ahli to a host of local and continental titles before his acrimonious departure from the club. Last season, however, his club form was far less impressive with Ismaili while Al-Sayed showed a great deal of consistency with Zamalek.
