Ahli have put faith in one of their most famous ex-stars when they handed Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafi 'Zizo' the task of leading the Egyptian champions after Hossam Al-Badri. Given the fact that he decided to devote his time trying to develop Ahli's youth system, Zizo is not considered a high-profile first team coach within the Egyptian Premier League market. However, his status as a club legend and his high rank inside the club might be a major asset during the short-term spell with the African giants. Here are some interesting glimpses about the playing and coaching career of the new Ahli tactician Zamalek trial ! -Zizo decided to join Ahli's youth tryouts at the age of 12 at the time when his elder brother Shawki was already a starlet in the club. Ironically, Zizo visited Zamalek before joining their arch-rivals, only to be told that he is 'too small' to represent the Whites. However, his diminutive physique punished Zamalek afterwards as he scored in several Cairo derbies during his career. Early emergence…early end -Zizo's outstanding talent emerged in no time as he was one of very few footballers to represent the Egypt first team at the age of 17. Nicknamed 'The Fox', he won seven league and two Egyptian Cup titles with Ahli, notably shining under the management of Hungarian coach Nandor Hidegkuti. But due to his numerous injury problems, the former striker was forced to end his international career at the age 22, before hanging up his boots five years later. Champions League victory Zizo was appointed football director of the Ahli first team immediately after his forced retirement. He was a member of the staff, led by veteran manager Mahmoud Al-Gohari, which won the first-ever CAF Champions League title for Ahli in 1982. Selecting the Hassan twins He then worked as a youth team coach and was, ironically, the man who picked current Zamalek bosses Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan to join Ahli during their early days.
An old story with Hassan Saudi Arabia tenure Zizo had distinct spells with Jeddah rivals Ahli and Ittihad youth teams during the late 80s and early 90s. In 1987, he was Al-Gohari's assistant when the Egyptian duo won the KSA Youth Championship title and the Regional title. Six years later, he joined Ittihad, leading the Jeddah giants to the KSA Youth Championship title. Egypt Olympic Team In 1999, Zizo worked as a co-manager with German veteran Siegfried Held with the Egypt Olympic team. Egypt only missed out on a place in the Sydney 2000 Olympics as they ended the campaign one point behind group winners Morocco in a thrilling finale. Curiously, Ahli newly-hired football director Sayed Abdul-Hafiz was the team captain. Historic feat with Baladeya In 2002, Zizo led Egyptian league minnows Baladeya to their first-ever Egyptian Cup final, before losing 1-0 to Zamalek in Cairo. He also worked with Ittihad, Masri, Arab Contractors and Suez Cement. Lebanon success Zizo is regarded as one of the most notable names in Lebanon, having spent a glittering tenure with Nejmeh a few years ago. The 57-year-old guided the Beirut-based club to back-to-back domestic league titles in 2004 and 2005. He also won the Lebanese Elite Cup and Super Cup during his reign. Ahli youth system Finally, he led the Ahli U-20s to winning the youth league title a few years ago before being assigned as a chief for the youth system at the Cairo club.
