Zamalek resolve long-Running $1.8 million dispute with Senegal’s Ibrahima Ndiaye

Egyptian champions Zamalek have brought their long-running dispute with Senegalese forward Ibrahima Ndiaye to an end after reaching an agreement to settle the financial obligations that had been the subject of a FIFA ruling.

The Cairo club confirmed on Thursday, July 23, 2026, that the matter had been resolved, ending more than a year of uncertainty surrounding the case.

The settlement removes one of the key administrative obstacles facing Zamalek as the club prepares for the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign.

The dispute dates back to 2025 following Ndiaye’s departure from Zamalek. The former Jaraaf striker lodged a complaint with FIFA, claiming he was owed outstanding payments linked to his contract with the Egyptian side.

After reviewing the case, FIFA ruled in favour of the Senegal international and instructed Zamalek to honour its financial commitments.

The amount involved in the dispute was reported to be $1.8 million, placing further financial pressure on the club as it sought to meet regulatory requirements ahead of the new season.

Resolving the issue became increasingly important after Zamalek secured the Egyptian Premier League title and booked a place in the next edition of the CAF Champions League.

To obtain the necessary African club licence, the club needed to clear several outstanding financial cases that remained unresolved.

Among the most pressing matters were the dispute involving Ndiaye and another case linked to Ukrainian club Oleksandriya. Addressing both issues became a priority as Zamalek worked to complete the administrative requirements needed for continental competition.

On July 23, 2026, the club announced that an agreement had been reached with Ndiaye, officially closing the case.

Vice-president Hisham Nasr confirmed that the settlement had been completed, allowing the club to move forward without the uncertainty created by the FIFA dispute.

The agreement represents the conclusion of a case that had lingered for several months after FIFA’s decision and removes a significant hurdle from Zamalek’s preparations for the new campaign.

With the financial obligations now settled, the Egyptian club can turn its full attention to the challenges of defending its domestic title and competing in the CAF Champions League, having resolved one of the most significant administrative matters affecting its preparations.