EGYPTIAN has become only the second coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations twice in succession. In the 2006 edition of the ACN, which was hosted by Egypt, Shehata managed to bring the cup to Egypt after beating the Ivory Coast in the final on penalties. The former star midfielder for Zamalek and the national team, Shehata's previous claim to fame as a coach was leading second division Arab Contractors to wins in the FA Cup and Super Cup against powerhouses Ahli ad Zamalek respectively. From 2001-2003, he was head coach of the Egyptian under-20 team with whom he won the Africa Cup of Nations and made it to the quarter-final stage of the World Cup. His brilliant results with the U-20 team and the Contractors brought him the head coach job of the Egyptian national team late in 2004, replacing the Italian Marco Tardelli. As a player, Shehata helped win the Egyptian league title and three FA Cups for Zamalek. He was twice the league's top scorer (1976/77 and 1979/80); third best African footballer of the year in 1974; best footballer in Asia in 1970, the only Egyptian to achieve the feat; best footballer in the 1974 African Cup; and best footballer in Egypt 1976. He received the Egyptian Merit of Sport in 1980. In his playing career, the 58-year old Shehata scored some remarkable goals for Egypt and Zamalek. Four goals at the African Cup, six for Zamalek in the African Champions League, 77 goals for Zamalek in the Egyptian League where he came twice as top scorer and five goals for Zamalek in the FA Cup. Shehata's football career as a player started with Zamalek in 1967 until 1983 during which he helped his club win several major competitions. But a year after joining Zamalek he moved to Kazma in Kuwait where he played from 1968 to 1971 during which he also played for another Kuwaiti club Al-Arabi in the Asian Clubs Cup. He then returned to Zamalek in 1971 where he continued playing until his retirement in 1983.
