Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Afsha announces Al Ahly return after helping Al Ittihad Alexandria avoid relegation

Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Magdy Afsha has confirmed he will return to Al Ahly after helping Al Ittihad Alexandria secure survival in the Egyptian Premier League.

The attacking midfielder, who joined Al Ittihad Alexandria on a short-term loan from Al Ahly, revealed that the club’s crucial 3-0 victory over Ismaily SC was his final appearance for the Alexandria-based side.

The win guaranteed Al Ittihad’s place in the top flight and completed a difficult escape from relegation after weeks of pressure and uncertainty.

Speaking after the match, Afsha admitted the journey had been extremely challenging but praised his teammates and the club for fighting until the end.

“Thank God, the journey was very difficult with Al Ittihad Alexandria and we succeeded in reaching 35 points after a very long journey with my teammates, the technical staff and the management,” he said.

The Egyptian playmaker explained that adapting to the situation at Al Ittihad was not easy, especially with the intense pressure surrounding the club’s relegation battle.

“The situation was difficult and not easy at all in Al-Ittihad because the mentality is somewhat different, so there was a very big role to play in helping my teammates, and unfortunately we wasted easy points,” Afsha explained.

“We were under a lot of pressure against Ismaily because of the need to win to ensure survival.”

Afsha then confirmed that he would not participate in the final league match after requesting permission to leave following the confirmation of Al Ittihad’s survival.

“I played my last match with Al-Ittihad Alexandria against Ismaily and I asked the board for permission to leave now after securing our survival and before the final round,” he revealed.

The former Al Ahly star also delivered an emotional farewell message to Al Ittihad supporters while making his intentions for next season very clear.

“I will miss the fans of Al-Ittihad Alexandria, and God willing, I will return to Al-Ahly. I only went on loan for four months, and I still have one season left on my contract with Al-Ahly.”

Afsha removed any doubts regarding his future by insisting he expects to remain with the Cairo giants and does not want another move away from the club.

“I will return to Al Ahly with a 100% certainty and I have no doubt about that. God willing, I will not leave Al Ahly again and I will not do that again.”

Despite preparing to return to Al Ahly, Afsha was full of respect and appreciation for Al Ittihad Alexandria and its officials.

“Al Ittihad is a great club and Mohamed Salama is one of the people I respect the most on a personal level,” he added.

The midfielder also admitted he deeply missed the atmosphere created by Al Ahly supporters during his time away from the club.

“I miss the chant of Al-Ahly fans. I wished to face Al-Ahly after my loan to Al-Ittihad to see the fans in the stadium.”

Afsha concluded with a passionate statement that is likely to resonate strongly with Al Ahly supporters.

“Whoever hasn’t played for Al Ahly hasn’t played football, with all due respect to all Egyptian clubs and any other club, but Al Ahly is Al Ahly.”

Meanwhile, Al Ittihad Alexandria’s survival was secured under coach Miloud Hamdi, who successfully guided the club away from relegation danger.

The victory over Ismaily lifted Al Ittihad to 35 points and ensured their place in the Egyptian Premier League next season.

For Ismaily, however, the defeat confirmed a disastrous campaign, as the historic club finished bottom of the standings and suffered relegation to the Professional League alongside Pharco FC, Haras El Hodoud SC and Ismailia Electricity.