Following a ten-year spell in European football, Ahmed Hassan's successful career has finally born fruit after he won his first ever league title with Belgium's Anderlecht. The league title is the second for any Egyptian player playing abroad, following Mido's Dutch League triumph with Ajax Amsterdam in 2002. Egypt skipper Hassan played a pivotal role in Anderlecht's achievement, scoring 12 goals to become third in the team's top scorers even though he played as a midfielder throughout the season. Hassan's success in Europe is the only boost to Egyptian fans, who were disappointed not to see the Pharaohs excel with their teams this season. English side Sheffield United were relegated to the Championship and Ahmed Fathi made just three appearances since his arrival from Ismaili in the January transfer window. Although Mohamed Zidan produced a scintillating form in the Bundesliga, his club Mainz also suffered relegation to the German second division. Tottenham striker Mido fell out of favor with Dutch coach Martin Jol and Hossam Ghaly's future with Spurs is uncertain following his improper behavior at being substituted during a Premiership game against Blackburn Rovers. Turkish side Rizespor, whom defensive duo Ibrahim Saied and Beshir Al-Tabie play for, are on the verge of relegation as they lie third from bottom with just two matches to go.
Therefore, Hassan's huge success in Belgium was the only sense of pride for the Egyptian football-mad fans. The 32-year-old started his career with Aswan youth in 1991 before being promoted to the first-team five years later where he produced impressive displays which prompted Ismaili to sign him in 1997. He won the Egyptian Cup in his first season with Ismaili and earned a call-up to Egypt's squad for the 1998 African Cup of Nations under the guidance of Mahmoud Al-Gohari. Hassan notched Egypt's first goal against South Africa in the competition's final to help Egypt win their first continental title since the 1986 triumph on home soil before beginning his European adventure with Turkey's Kocaelispor. The versatile midfielder then had a spell with Denizlispor which lasted for just one season before joining his compatriot Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa at Genclerbirligi after the end of the 2000 African Cup of Nations. Two years later, he impressed as usual during the African Cup and made a big move to Besiktas, where he became a fans' favorite. After being named the best player in the 2006 African Cup of Nations on home soil, Hassan joined Belgian champions Anderlecht and made a great reputation after just one season. He announced earlier in the season that he would depart Anderlecht and return to Egypt after the season's end for family reasons but made a U-turn later on after persistent efforts from the club's chairman and fans convinced him to carry on for another season.
