Mahmoud al-Gohari, a prominent figure in Egyptian football, passed away on Monday at the age of 74 in Jordan after suffering a stroke, as reported by the official Egyptian agency Mena. Al-Gohari made significant contributions to Egyptian football, notably leading the national team to qualify for the 1990 World Cup in Italy, ending a 56-year absence from the prestigious tournament. His achievements even inspired a pop song in his homeland.
Al-Gohari, who had been living in Amman, Jordan, was hospitalized after the stroke. He had a distinguished playing career with the renowned Cairo club Al-Ahly from 1955 to 1961, but his playing days were cut short due to injury. Subsequently, he transitioned into coaching, managing both Al-Ahly and its rival Zamalek, in addition to coaching the national teams of Oman, Egypt, and Jordan.
Known for his tactical acumen, especially in defensive formations, al-Gohari guided Egypt to victory in the African Cup of Nations in 1998. He achieved success at the domestic and continental levels with Al-Ahly and Zamalek. Later in his career, as the coach of Jordan, he guided the team to the quarter-finals of the Asian Nations Cup in 2004. Mahmoud al-Gohari’s contributions to football have left a lasting impact on the sport in Egypt and beyond.
