Today (Oct. 1) marks the 17th birth anniversary of late Egyptian footballer Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Throughout his career, Abdel Wahab won many tournaments including, the African Cup of Nations in 2006 held in Egypt, the Egyptian League, and the African Champions League in 2005.
Born in 1981, in Faiyum, the young player started his professional career with Aluminium Nag Hammâdi and whilst there he caught the eye of the national youth team coach Hassan Shehata, who included him in his squad.
He went on to be part of the Egyptian youth team that won the 2003 African Cup of Nations in Mali.
His outstanding performance in the World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates encouraged UAE side Al Dhafra Club to sign him on a four-year contract. But Abdelwahab did not make any appearances at Al Dhafra Club and spent his first year on loan to ENPPI. Whilst there, he was called up to the Egyptian national team by Italian coach Marco Tardelli.
The left winger scored on his debut in the national team's opening 2006 World Cup qualifier against Sudan.
Abdelwahab then joined El Ahly on a two-year loan but failed to secure a starting place in his first season with the club since coach Manuel José depended mainly on Angolan international Gilberto.
His breakthrough came in the 2005 African Champions League final against Etoile Sahel of Tunisia when Gilberto left the pitch injured after ten minutes. Abdelwahab was brought on and went on to set up Osama Hosny for El-Ahly's second goal in the 3–0 win that saw the club crowned African champions.
Abdelwahab became a significant member of Hassan Shehata's national squad and helped Egypt win the 2006 African Cup of Nations on home soil by scoring the second penalty in the penalty shootout against Ivory Coast. His steady performances helped Al Ahly secure their second consecutive local title, the Egyptian Cup and CAF Super Cup in the same season.
Unfortunately, he passed away during an Al-Ahly morning training session on August 31, 2006, due to a heart attack.
His death sent shockwaves through Egypt, with the players in the victorious African Nations side being elevated to national heroes after beating Ivory Coast on penalties.
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