It was rumored for a long time but Yaser Hamed Mayor has a new home. The Basque born defender will be returning to Egypt, this time with giants Zamalek, for a second stint following a brief but successful time with Al-Masry.
Following that experience, Hamed played out the remainder of 2022 with Al-Rayyan in Qatar before seeing out the 2022/23 season with Al-Qadsiya in Kuwait. The defender was on the books of North East United in the Indian Super League on a short term contract before the Asian Cup.
The Egyptian giants have struggled defensively in the league thusfar and Yaser Hamed will have every opportunity to contribute to the team should he prove himself. Zamalek is in 12th place having collected just 11 points from eight games. The side’s first match following the AFCON break will be the Cairo Derby against bitter rivals Al-Ahly who signed Wessam Abou Ali last month.
Palestine captain Musab Al-Battat has also earned himself a move abroad crossing the river to join up with Jordanian champions Al-Faisaly. The 30-year old was the best right back at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup creating eight chances, chipping in two assists, and winning more tackles (12) than any other player in the group stage. In spite of the stellar performance none of Asia’s elite sides inquired about his services.
The other movement that has happened has involved players that were on the fringe of the national team. Anas Bani Owda was the last player to be cut from the national team but he has a new home- Al-Ahli Amman. The Jordanian club provided a springboard to stronger leagues for Mahmoud Wadi and Mohammed Balah seven years ago and the hope is that it could do the same for the 22 year old.
Musa Farawi who was one of two outfield players not to play a minute at Qatar 2023 earned a move to the Egyptian top flight. The 25 year old has signed for National Bank of Egypt on a 2.5 year deal. In spite of not playing (mostly due to the incredible form of captain Musab Al-Battat) Farawi remains highly regarded to due his blistering speed.
There are also reports that Amid Mahajna will leave Hapoel Umm El-Fahm. The 27 year old only managed to join the national team after the Palestine Football Association complained to FIFA and secured his release. Umm El-Fahm President Ahmed Abu El-Amm had refused to release the player as he thought it would be too polemic for a player playing in the Israeli league to play for Palestine.
Abu El-Amm told Ehna that he wanted Mahajna to “find a new team” and the reports are that the defender and holding midfielder was close to signing for Manama in the Bahraini top flight. In light of Mahajna’s success Abu El-Amm has tried to clean up the mess he created now saying he wants to sell the player to help him and the club.
Four national team players will be moving to the Libyan top flight and three of the moves have already been announced. Zaid Qunbar and Mahmoud Abu Warda have signed for Al-Ittihad Tripoli until the end of the season. While Mohammed Khalil has signed for Asaria SC. One of the other left backs in the side, Samer Jondi, has signed for Al-Ahli Tripoli. Odai Kharoub’s move to the Libyan top flight is expected to be announced shortly.
The only domestic based players yet to sign for a new club are goalkeepers Rami Hamadi (a surprise and quite frankly an insult given his ability), Naim Abu Baker, and Baraa Kharoub. The outfield players yet to sign somewhere are Islam Batran, Samer Zubaida (both Hilal Al-Quds) and El-Mehdi Issa (Jabal Al-Mukaber). Mohammed Saleh who was unattached before the start of the AFC Asian Cup remains a free agent.
