Al Ahly Goalkeeper Battle: El Shenawy vs. Mostafa Shobeir
The long-standing goalkeeping rivalry at Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly has escalated into a high-stakes club dispute, driven by recent national team decisions under Egypt manager Hossam Hassan. Mohamed El Shenawy and Mostafa Shobeir now find themselves locked in an intense battle for the starting spot between the posts at the Red Castle.
Origins of the Al Ahly Goalkeeping Rivalry
The friction between the two goalkeepers did not begin during the current campaign. The dynamic shifted dramatically in early 2024 during the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, when El Shenawy suffered a shoulder injury. El Shenawy faced a three-month recovery period on the sidelines. During his absence, Mostafa Shobeir stepped into the starting lineup and delivered standout performances that guided Al Ahly to a CAF Champions League title.
As the 2024-2025 season commenced, discussions intensified regarding whether Shobeir deserved a regular starting role at club level. However, national team manager Hossam Hassan continued to back El Shenawy as his primary choice while including Shobeir as the second-choice keeper for the Pharaohs. Over the previous season, debates over the Al Ahly goal intensified following errors from El Shenawy and steady displays by Shobeir whenever called upon.
Impact of National Team Selections
The rivalry flared anew following public comments from Hossam Hassan regarding El Shenawy, which critics interpreted as describing the keeper as past his prime. Simultaneously, commentators questioned Shobeir over his decision to wear the number one jersey previously held by his club teammate. Public discourse also focused on the role of media figure Ahmed Shobeir in fueling tensions between El Shenawy and his son Mostafa, alongside the keeper’s subsequent absence from the national team setup.
With Egypt’s national team doors effectively closed to El Shenawy under the current technical staff, the fallout has shifted entirely to Al Ahly’s domestic and continental fixtures.
The Domestic Battle Under the Red Castle
The pressure now falls squarely on Al Ahly’s technical staff to manage the competing ambitions of two elite goalkeepers within the same squad. The unresolved tension from national team selections carries direct consequences for squad harmony and matchday selection. Moroccan manager Hicham Ammouta—the technical director overseeing the Red Castle—must manage the psychological and competitive fallout of this rivalry as Al Ahly fights for domestic and African honors.
As the season progresses, the training ground performances of both goalkeepers will dictate whether experience prevails or youth maintains its grip on the starting berth, shaping the trajectory of Al Ahly’s defense for months to come.