Al Masry SC
Al-Masry Sporting Club (Arabic: النادي المصري للألعاب الرياضية) is an Egyptian professional association football club headquartered in Port Said, competing in the Egyptian Premier League as one of the nation's prominent mid-tier teams.[1][2] Established on 18 March 1920, the club initially rose to prominence through dominance in regional competitions, capturing 17 consecutive Canal Zone League championships from 1932 onward and three Sultan Hussein Cups in the 1930s.[3][2] Its sole major national honor came with the 1998 Egypt Cup victory, alongside a Federation Cup and an Arab Elite Cup, though it has yet to claim the Egyptian Premier League title despite consistent top-division participation since the 1950s.[4][2] Al-Masry's passionate supporters, known as the Green Eagles, have fueled its reputation for fervent home atmospheres at Port Said Stadium, but the club remains indelibly linked to the 1 February 2012 post-match riot, in which thousands of its fans stormed the pitch and stands after a 3–1 victory over Al Ahly, attacking rival supporters with blades, clubs, and rocks in an incident that killed 74 people—mostly Al Ahly fans—and injured over 500.[5][6] The tragedy, attributed to unchecked crowd surges and inadequate security, prompted league suspensions, mass arrests, and enduring scrutiny over fan violence in Egyptian football.[5][6]History
Founding and Early Development (1920–1931)
Al Masry Sporting Club was established on 18 March 1920 in Port Said by a group of Egyptian residents, marking the creation of the first sports club dedicated to native Egyptians in a cosmopolitan port city heavily influenced by British, Greek, and other foreign communities that had their own established teams.[7][1] This founding occurred amid the nationalist sentiments following the 1919 Egyptian Revolution, as Port Said's strategic role in the Suez Canal attracted expatriate populations but limited opportunities for local Egyptian athletic representation.[8] The club's name, translating to "The Egyptian," symbolized a deliberate assertion of national identity in a diverse urban environment.[7] In its formative years, Al Masry concentrated on building infrastructure and fostering participation in football, the primary sport, alongside other activities like athletics. The club fielded teams that competed in friendly and regional matches against both Egyptian rivals from the Suez Canal area and foreign squads from Port Said's expatriate clubs, often generating significant local enthusiasm due to the competitive and symbolic nature of these encounters.[2] These early games helped cultivate talent and fan support, though formal national leagues were nascent, with competitions largely confined to informal or zonal formats until the 1930s.[9] By 1931, Al Masry had solidified its role as a hub for Egyptian youth in Port Said, emphasizing amateur development without yet achieving major trophies, setting the stage for expanded ambitions. Membership grew steadily, drawing from the city's working-class Egyptian population employed in canal-related trades, and the club adopted green as its primary color, reflecting national symbolism.[2] This period laid foundational organizational structures, including basic training grounds near the port, amid Egypt's broader push for sporting independence from colonial influences.[8]Golden Era and Domestic Successes (1932–1948)
The years 1932 to 1948 represented the golden era of Al Masry SC, a period of sustained regional dominance and breakthrough national successes in Egyptian football. The club asserted control over the Canal Zone League, capturing 17 consecutive championships from the 1931–32 season through 1948, which solidified its status as the leading team in the Suez Canal region.[7] Al Masry's achievements extended to the national level through the Sultan Hussein Cup, the premier knockout competition of the era preceding the modern Egypt Cup. The club triumphed in this tournament three times, defeating prominent Cairo rivals in key finals: 1933, 1934 (4–2 victory over Al Ahly on 6 May 1934), and 1937.[7][10][11] These cup wins demonstrated Al Masry's ability to compete beyond regional confines, leveraging strong local support and tactical discipline against more established urban clubs. The unbroken streak in the Canal Zone League, meanwhile, reflected consistent squad depth and youth development, though detailed records of individual player contributions from this pre-professional era remain sparse in available archives.[7]Post-War Challenges and Relegations (1949–1997)
Following the end of their golden era in 1948, Al Masry transitioned to sustained competition in the Egyptian Premier League, facing heightened challenges against dominant Cairo clubs like Al Ahly and Zamalek amid Egypt's evolving national football structure. The club's regional successes in the Canal Zone League, where they secured 17 titles prior to 1948, proved difficult to replicate nationally, leading to inconsistent results and a lack of major trophies during this period.[11] The Suez Crisis of 1956 inflicted severe disruptions on Port Said, with British naval bombardments targeting the city on November 5–6, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and economy in the club's hometown, which likely hampered operations, player availability, and fan support. Subsequent conflicts, including the 1967 Six-Day War and the War of Attrition along the Suez Canal, further strained resources in the frontline region, contributing to logistical and financial difficulties for provincial teams like Al Masry. These external pressures compounded internal struggles, such as limited funding compared to capital-based rivals, resulting in mid-to-lower table finishes and periodic battles to maintain top-flight status.[12][13] By the 1960s and 1970s, Al Masry stabilized somewhat, recording seventh-place finishes in the 1964–65, 1965–66, and 1966–67 seasons, though relegation threats persisted in years of poorer form, such as 11th in 1971–72. The 1980s marked relative highs, with third-place positions in 1979–80 and 1980–81—their strongest national showings of the era—alongside multiple fifth-place results (1975–76, 1977–78, 1981–82, 1982–83), driven by improved squad depth but still without silverware.[14] Into the 1990s, the club endured further variability, finishing as low as 12th in 1976–77 while achieving top-five berths like fourth in 1995–96, reflecting resilience amid ongoing economic constraints and competition from better-resourced sides. Despite avoiding prolonged absence from the Premier League, Al Masry's era was defined by survival-oriented play rather than contention, culminating in a seventh-place finish in 1996–97 before a resurgence in the late 1990s.[14]Cup Triumph and Modern Resurgence (1998–Present)
Al Masry clinched its sole Egyptian Cup title on July 3, 1998, defeating Al-Mokawloon al-Arab 1–0 in the final held at Cairo International Stadium, marking the club's first major national trophy in over five decades.[4] This victory, achieved under coach Mahmoud El-Gohary, ended a long drought in knockout competitions and provided a morale boost following repeated relegations in prior decades. The success highlighted the team's defensive solidity, conceding just three goals across the tournament en route to the final.[15] The cup triumph catalyzed a period of relative stability, as Al Masry avoided further top-flight demotions immediately after and rebuilt its squad with local talent from Port Said. By the early 2000s, the club had established itself as a consistent mid-table presence in the Egyptian Premier League, though league titles eluded them amid dominance by Cairo clubs like Al Ahly and Zamalek. Multiple Egypt Cup final appearances, including runner-up finishes in 1989 and 2017, underscored persistent competitiveness in cup formats despite limited resources compared to wealthier rivals.[4] After a league suspension and return in the 2013–14 season, Al Masry maintained uninterrupted Premier League participation, logging over a decade of top-division football by the mid-2020s.[1] In the modern era, Al Masry has pursued resurgence through continental engagements and domestic contention, qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup on several occasions, including advancing to the quarter-finals in the 2024–25 edition before a 4–0 aggregate defeat to Tanzania's Simba SC. Domestically, the club reached the 2023 Egyptian League Cup final, losing 4–1 to Ceramica Cleopatra, and has notched upper-table league finishes, such as third place in the ongoing 2024–25 season with strong home form at Al Masry Stadium. These developments reflect improved infrastructure investments and youth development, positioning Al Masry as a resilient provincial powerhouse in Egyptian football.[16][17]Club Identity
Colours, Badge, and Nickname
Al Masry SC's primary colours are green and white, adopted since the club's founding in 1920 to embody patriotism in reference to the Egyptian flag raised during the 1919 Revolution.[18] The green hue specifically evokes the revolutionary banner's design, while white complements it in kits and branding; home jerseys typically feature a dominant green body with white sleeves, shorts, and socks, as seen in official kit releases from suppliers like Puma.[19] Away kits invert this scheme, prioritizing white with green details.[20] The club's badge centers on a stylized Pharaonic eagle, rendered in green with outstretched wings cradling a football, symbolizing strength, vision, and national heritage tied to ancient Egyptian iconography like Horus.[21] This emblem has remained consistent across eras, appearing on kits and official materials to reinforce the team's identity.[22] Nicknames include "The Green Eagles" (النسور الخضراء), derived directly from the badge's eagle motif and predominant kit colour, and "Boss of the Canal" (زعيم القناة), honoring the club's Port Said base along the Suez Canal.[23] [24] These monikers underscore regional pride and competitive stature in Egyptian football.[1]Kit Suppliers and Manufacturers
Al Masry SC has partnered with multiple manufacturers for its kits throughout its history, reflecting shifts in sponsorship and commercial strategies typical of Egyptian football clubs.[19] The club's most recent kit supplier is Puma, which began providing kits starting from the 2024 season onward, succeeding ZatOutfit's tenure in the prior year.[19] Prior to Puma, Offside supplied kits during the 2022-2023 season, while Kelme held the role for two seasons from 2019 to 2022, including a third kit in 2019-2020.[19] Nike provided kits exclusively for the 2020-2021 season.[19] Earlier partnerships included a longer-term deal with adidas from 2015 to 2019, followed briefly by Errea in 2014-2015.[19] These changes often align with competitive bidding and club performance, though specific contract values remain undisclosed in public records.| Years | Kit Supplier |
|---|---|
| 2024–present | Puma |
| 2023–2024 | ZatOutfit |
| 2022–2023 | Offside |
| 2021–2022 | Kelme |
| 2020–2021 | Nike |
| 2019–2020 | Kelme |
| 2015–2019 | adidas |
| 2014–2015 | Errea |
Facilities and Infrastructure
Home Stadium and Capacity
Al Masry Sporting Club's traditional home venue is the Al Masry Club Stadium in Port Said, Egypt, which opened on 16 October 1955 and served as the primary sports facility in the city with a seating capacity of approximately 18,000.[25] The stadium hosted the club's matches until its closure following the 1 February 2012 Port Said Stadium riot, during which clashes between fans and security forces resulted in 74 deaths, leading to the venue's eventual demolition.[26] Since then, Al Masry has played its home fixtures at alternative grounds, primarily the Suez Stadium, which has a capacity of 25,000 seats and includes a running track.[27] A new Al Masry SC Stadium is under construction on the site of the former facility in Port Said's Salam City district, designed to hold 22,566 spectators across multiple levels with a total built-up area exceeding 160,000 square meters.[28] The project, initiated with state financial support and featuring integrated commercial and residential elements like a 30-storey tower, aims to comply with FIFA and CAF standards, with construction updates indicating ongoing progress as of late 2024 and an anticipated completion in late 2025.[29] Until the new stadium opens, Suez Stadium remains the club's primary venue for Egyptian Premier League matches, as evidenced by fixtures scheduled there in October 2025.[30]Training Facilities and Youth Academy
The Sayed Metwally Complex serves as the primary training facility for Al Masry SC, located in Port Said, Egypt.[31] This complex features two grass pitches primarily utilized by the club's reserve and youth teams for daily training sessions.[32] Named after Sayed Metwally, a notable figure in the club's history, the facility supports the multi-sport aspects of Al Masry while focusing on football development.[33] Al Masry SC maintains a youth academy structure to nurture emerging talent, with dedicated teams competing in Egyptian youth leagues and tournaments.[34] The club's juniors sector, as documented through official social media channels, organizes regular training and competitive activities aimed at player progression to senior levels.[35] This setup emphasizes local recruitment from Port Said, contributing to the first team's roster through homegrown players, though specific promotion statistics remain limited in public records.[34]Governance and Administration
List of Presidents
The following table lists the presidents of Al Masry Sporting Club since its founding in 1920, with tenures based on club records.[36]| Tenure | President |
|---|---|
| 1920–1925 | Ahmad Bik Hasni |
| 1925–1930 | Muhammad Al-Tubshi |
| 1930–1935 | Awad Bik Faqusa |
| 1935–1940 | Ibrahim Yusuf Lahita |
| 1940–1964 | Abdurrahman Lutfi Pasha |
| 1964–1967 | Al-Lewa Khalil Tarman |
| 1971–1974 | Abd al-Hamid Husayn |
| 1974–1978 | Muhammad Musa Afandi |
| 1978–1979 | Ahmad Fuad Al-Mukhzangi |
| 1980 | Al-Lewa Ibrahim Al-Mur |
| 1980–1991 | Sayyid Mitwalli Abdurrahman |
| 1991 | Adil Al-Jazzar |
| 1991–1997 | Sayyid Mitwalli Abdurrahman |
| 1997 | Kamil Abu Ali |
| 1998–2002 | Abd al-Wahhab Qutah |
| 2002–2008 | Sayyid Mitwalli Abdurrahman |
| 2008–2009 | Ali Faraj Allah |
| 2009–2013 | Kamil Abu Ali |
| 2014–2015 | Yasser Yahya |
| 2015–2021 | Samir Halabiyya |
| 2022–present | Kamil Abu Ali |
Ownership and Financial Structure
Al Masry Sporting Club operates as a member-based association typical of traditional Egyptian football clubs, without a single private owner or majority shareholder controlling the entity. Governance is vested in an elected board of directors, responsible for strategic decisions, while the club holds ownership of key assets such as its stadium, which was transferred back to the club's control by the Port Said governor on March 11, 2016.[38] The board oversees operations, including player contracts and infrastructure projects, as evidenced by its actions in suspending player bonuses and deducting salaries following a league loss on January 24, 2025.[39] The club's presidency, currently held by Samir Halabia as of recent reports, plays a central role in administration and representation, with Halabia serving at least since 2016 and referenced in leadership contexts through 2021.[40] Board members, such as Adnan Halabia (son of the president) and Mohammed Mousa, contribute to decision-making on competitive and financial matters.[40][41] Financially, Al Masry relies on a mix of league distributions, ticket sales, and sponsorships, though specific revenue figures are not publicly detailed. The club encountered a severe crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting an appeal for fan donations in July 2020 to cover operational costs amid halted matches and reduced income.[42] To bolster infrastructure and long-term revenue, Al Masry engaged Zilla Capital as financial advisor in September 2022 for a EGP 4 billion sports complex project in Port Said, including a new stadium expected to generate at least EGP 360 million annually upon completion.[43][28] The club's squad market value stood at approximately €9.48 million as of May 2025, reflecting moderate valuation among African peers.[44]Achievements
Domestic Competitions and Honours
Al Masry SC has competed in the Egyptian Premier League since the 1960s but has never secured the title, with its best performances including third-place finishes in the 2016–17, 2019–20, and 2022–23 seasons.[1] The club has maintained consistent mid-table to upper-mid-table positioning in recent decades, qualifying for continental competitions through league standings on multiple occasions.[3] The team's primary national honour is the Egypt Cup, won once in the 1997–98 season after defeating Al Mokawoloon al Arab 4–2 in the final on 22 February 1998.[15] This victory marked Al Masry's only triumph in the competition, which dates back to 1922 and serves as Egypt's premier knockout tournament.[45] Prior to the establishment of the unified Egyptian Premier League in 1948, Al Masry dominated regional competitions in the Suez Canal Zone. The club won the Canal Zone League 17 consecutive times from 1932 to 1948, establishing itself as the preeminent force in the area amid limited national infrastructure.[7] Additionally, Al Masry claimed the Sultan Hussein Cup—a early national challenge cup held between 1917 and 1938—three times, in 1933 (defeating Olympic Club 2–1 after extra time), 1934 (4–2 over Al Ahly), and 1937.[46] The club also holds one Egyptian Federation Cup title, though the specific year remains less documented in primary records.[11]| Competition | Titles | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt Cup | 1 | 1998 |
| Sultan Hussein Cup | 3 | 1933, 1934, 1937 |
| Canal Zone League | 17 | 1932–1948 (consecutive) |
| Egyptian Federation Cup | 1 | Undated |
Continental and Regional Performances
Al Masry SC's record in continental competitions under the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been modest, with the club rarely qualifying for the elite CAF Champions League and instead featuring more prominently in the secondary CAF Confederation Cup. The team has not advanced beyond preliminary rounds in the CAF Champions League, limiting their exposure at higher stages of Africa's premier club tournament.[48] In the CAF Confederation Cup, Al Masry achieved its deepest run during the 2024–25 season, reaching the quarter-finals. On April 2, 2025, they secured a 2–0 home victory over Tanzania's Simba SC in the first leg, courtesy of goals from Mahmoud Gad and Ahmed Yasser Rayan. However, Simba SC responded with a 2–0 away win in the second leg on April 9, 2025, forcing a penalty shootout that Al Masry lost 4–1, resulting in their elimination after a 2–2 aggregate draw.[49][50] Prior participations include the 2017–18 edition, where they progressed through preliminary rounds but exited in the group stage, and additional entries in 2019–20 and 2021–22 that ended in early eliminations.[51] For the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup, Al Masry advanced to the second preliminary round, drawing 0–0 away to Libya's Al Ittihad Tripoli on October 18, 2025, with the return leg pending.[52] Regionally, Al Masry has competed in Arab club tournaments with limited distinction, securing one title in the Arab Elite Cup.[11] The club's overall continental output reflects its status as a consistent domestic contender in Egypt but not a dominant force across African or Arab borders, with no titles or podium finishes in major CAF events.All-Time Records and Statistics
Al Masry SC has participated in the Egyptian Premier League across numerous seasons since its early involvement, achieving third-place finishes in the 1979–80, 1980–81, 2000–01, and 2017–18 campaigns, marking their highest league positions to date.[14] The club has maintained consistent mid-table presence, with additional strong seasons including fourth-place results in 1983–84, 1985–86, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2023–24, and 2024–25, while avoiding relegation through finishes no lower than 13th in recent decades.[14] Overall, Al Masry has never secured the Egyptian Premier League title, reflecting a record of competitive but non-dominant performance against perennial leaders Al Ahly and Zamalek.[11] In domestic cup competitions, Al Masry's standout achievement is the 1998 Egypt Cup victory, their sole national cup triumph, alongside runner-up finishes in 1927, 1930, 1945, 1947, 1954, 1957, 1983, 1984, 1989, and 2017.[11] They also won the Egyptian Federation Cup in 1992 and the Sultan Hussein Cup three times (1933, 1934, 1937). Regionally, the club dominated the Canal Zone League with 17 titles between 1932 and 1948, underscoring early local supremacy before national expansion.[11] Notable match records include the largest league victory of 11–0 against Telephonat Beni Suef and an 18–0 win in the Canal Zone Cup against Ismaily, highlighting offensive peaks.[11] Heaviest defeats feature a loss to Zamalek on October 8, 1965, in the Premier League, though exact margins vary by competition context.[53] Aggregate titles total 22, predominantly from regional leagues, with limited continental success beyond the 1992 Arab Elite Cup win.[11]Team and Personnel
Current First-Team Squad
Al Masry SC's first-team squad for the 2025–26 season consists of 33 players, with an average age of 27.0 years and 6 foreign nationals comprising 18.2% of the roster.[54] The composition reflects a balance of experienced Egyptian players and younger talents, supplemented by international signings primarily from Africa and Europe.Goalkeepers
- No. 1: Essam Tharwat (36, Egypt)
- No. 16: Mahmoud Hamdy (31, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 31: Mohamed Shehata (26, Egypt)
Defenders
- No. 2: Baher El Mohamady (centre-back, 28, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 3: Ahmed Ayman Mansour (centre-back, 31, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 4: Ahmed Eid (right-back, 24, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 5: Khaled Sobhi (centre-back, 30, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2028)
- No. 7: Karim El Eraki (right-back, 27, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2027)
- No. 8: Hassan Ali (left-back, 27, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 13: Amr El Saadawy (left-back, 28, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 29: Mohamed Hashem (centre-back, 29, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2027)
- No. 35: Kylian Karsenty (left-back, 19, France)
Midfielders
- No. 6: Mohamed Makhlouf (defensive, 27, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2027)
- No. 12: Mostafa Aboul-Kheir (defensive, 21, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2028)
- No. 14: Mahmoud Hamada (central, 31, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 17: Youssef El Gohary (central, 27, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2027)
- No. 19: Hussein Faisal (attacking, 26, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2027)
- No. 21: Bonheur Mugisha (defensive, 25, Rwanda; contract expires June 30, 2028)
- No. 28: Ziad Farag (attacking, 23, Egypt)
- No. 30: Abderrahim Deghmoum (attacking, 26, Algeria; contract expires June 30, 2027)
- No. 33: Omar El Saaiy (central, 22, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 35: Belia (central, 20, Egypt)
- No. 40: Ahmed Ali (central, 25, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2028)
Forwards
- No. 9: Salah Mohsen (centre-forward, 27, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2027)
- No. 10: Karim Bambo (centre-forward, 32, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 11: Mohamed El Shami (left winger, 29, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 15: Ahmed El Armouty (right winger, 26, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2028)
- No. 20: Kingsley Eduwo (centre-forward, 29, Nigeria; contract expires June 30, 2027)
- No. 22: Mido Gaber (right winger, 33, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2026)
- No. 25: Mounder Temine (centre-forward, 24, Algeria; contract expires June 30, 2028)
- No. 34: Ahmed Fouad (left winger, 21, Egypt)
- No. 37: Ahmed Sharaf (left winger, 20, Egypt; contract expires June 30, 2030)
- Listowell Amankona (left winger, 20, Ghana; contract expires June 30, 2028)
Coaching and Technical Staff
The coaching staff of Al Masry SC is led by Tunisian manager Nabil Kouki, appointed on July 1, 2025, following his tenure at ES Sétif.[55][56] Kouki, born March 9, 1970, oversees tactical and match-day decisions for the first team in the Egyptian Premier League and CAF competitions.[56] His primary assistant is Kais Makhlouf, a 47-year-old Tunisian coach who joined concurrently on July 1, 2025, handling training sessions and player development support.[56] The technical apparatus includes Nader El-Hobeiry as general coach, responsible for overall team preparation and coordination, as confirmed upon Kouki's arrival.[55]| Role | Name | Nationality | Appointment Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Nabil Kouki | Tunisia | July 1, 2025 |
| Assistant Manager | Kais Makhlouf | Tunisia | July 1, 2025 |
| General Coach | Nader El-Hobeiry | Egypt | June 2025 |