Egypt’s Wael Gomaa Retires from Football
Egypt and Al-Ahly defender, Wael Gomaa has announced he is set to retire at the end of the current season.
The 38-year old, who has won several titles at both local and international levels, said he arrived at the decision as he cannot perform as expected any longer after more than two decades on the pitch.
The rock-solid defender announced his retirement after leading Al-Ahly to the 2014 Orange CAF Super Cup, against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia on February 20 in Cairo.
Gomaa was soaked in tears and emotions and took everyone by surprise by making public the decision after winning his sixth CAF Super Cup with the ‘Red Devils’.
“This is a good moment for me to announce that I cannot continue to be playing as expected. I cannot continue after the current season,” a teary Gomaa told the press after the game.
“The happiest day in my life was joining Ahly. And I’m much happier to be bowing out on a winning note. Playing for Ahly remains a special moment for me,” he noted with over 400 appearances under his name with the 36-time Egyptian champions.
The central defender joined the Cairo-based club in 2001 after eight years with Ghazl El-Mahalla, going on to cement his place as one of the most reliable defenders that ever played for the club.
His stint with Ahly marks arguably the most memorable and successful in their history, winning all titles available on domestic and international fronts, making Al Ahly the most decorated club on the continent, having won six CAF Champions League titles, six CAF Super Cups, seven Egyptian League crowns, three Egyptian Cups and six Egyptian Super Cups during the 13-years Gomaa has been at the club; a feat which will remain the envy of many a clubs worldwide.
“This generation will rank as the best generation in the history of Ahly. We worked hard and always remain committed to the objectives of the club. We always wanted to make the fans and we did that many times,” Gomaa spoke of his generation which starred the likes of Essam El Hadary, Mohamed Aboutreika, Mohamed Barakat, Shady Mohamed amongst others.