Commemorating Samir Zaher's goal in Al Ahly's jersey: from a player at Al Tetsh to a creator of national team achievements
On this day, October 24, 1965, Samir Zaher scored his only goal for Al Ahly during a match against El Sharkia, which ended in a 1-1 draw in the fourth round of the Egyptian Premier League.
Zaher scored for Al Ahly, while Hassan El Shazly netted for El Sharkia, resulting in a positive draw. This match remains a significant moment to recall the late Samir Zaher's career on the pitch before he transitioned to an administrative role that established his name in the history of Egyptian sports.
Starting in Damietta and Joining Al Ahly
Samir Zaher was born on August 30, 1943, in Damietta. He received his education at Victoria College in Maadi and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Military Sciences. He began his football career at Damietta Club before moving to Al Ahly in 1964, where he played until 1973.
Zaher represented the national team from 1965 to 1967 and also played for the military team between 1970 and 1973, alongside his military service and participation in the October War.
Samir Zaher: An Administrative Journey Ending with the Presidency of the EFA
After retiring from football, Samir Zaher embarked on a new phase in his career through administrative work, serving on the board of directors of Heliopolis Club from 1990 to 2002, before joining the board of the Egyptian Football Association in 1992.
In 1994, he became the vice president of the association, then took over as president of the Egyptian Football Association for the first time in 1996, serving until 1999. He also held a position on the executive committee of the Arab Football Association from 1999 to 2003, before returning to the presidency of the Egyptian Football Association in 2005, remaining in the role until 2012.
A Golden Era for the Egyptian National Team Under Samir Zaher's Presidency
The achievements of the Egyptian national team during Samir Zaher's presidency of the football association stand out as key highlights of his administrative career, as the Pharaohs won the Africa Cup of Nations four times during his tenure.
This began with the title in 1998 in Burkina Faso, followed by a historic three-peat in 2006, 2008, and 2010, under coach Hassan Shehata, an exceptional achievement that elevated the status of Egyptian football on the continental level.
Zaher's name is associated with this period, which witnessed technical stability and consecutive successes for the national team, making him one of the prominent figures in the history of the Egyptian Football Association.
The Passing of Samir Zaher and the Legacy of His Sports Career
On March 13, 2018, Samir Zaher passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with illness, leaving behind a sports legacy that spans from his playing days at Al Ahly to his years leading the Egyptian Football Association.
From his only goal with Al Ahly against El Sharkia to the African achievements during his presidency, Samir Zaher's journey remains an important part of Egyptian football history, serving as a testament to his transition from the pitch to one of the most notable administrative experiences in the sport's history.
