Former Egypt and Zamalek striker Ahmed Hossam “Mido” has lifted the lid on unusual practices within the national team during Hassan Shehata’s tenure, claiming that some officials relied on superstitious rituals to influence match outcomes.
The forward, nicknamed “The Global One,” represented Egypt between 2001 and 2009, including at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking on the Nogoom Al-Gamahir podcast, Mido detailed how a sheikh was involved in orchestrating these rituals, including specifying shirt numbers for players and performing symbolic acts with their equipment.
Wearing the wrong number
Mido recalled one incident in which he was instructed to wear a jersey with a number that was not his own.
“He asked me to wear a shirt with a number that was not mine in one of the matches under Hassan Shehata. They used to take our boots, recite words over them, or sprinkle water on them,” he said.
He added: “This happened after 2006 with the Egypt national team, and you can ask the players. The sheikh used to oblige players to play with specific numbers. On one occasion, they gave me a shirt and Captain Hamada Sedky told me I would play wearing number 5.
“I put on the shirt, but it did not suit me, so I refused to play in it and played with number 9 instead. Captain Hassan was very angry with me because of these things. They used to confiscate our boots a day before matches, and anyone who denies this is lying.”
A factor in his exclusion
Mido claimed the sheikh was instrumental in his omission from the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
“The sheikh informed the technical staff of that in 2010, and someone from inside the technical team told me. You can ask. The sheikh said this person is not suitable for these matters, and it is better that he is not there,” Mido said.
He stressed that despite being Egypt’s top player at the time and carrying Zamalek on his shoulders, he faced denial and criticism for challenging the rituals.
