Today, October 17, marks the anniversary of one of Al Ahly's notable victories over Olympic Club, where the Red Devils secured a remarkable 6-0 win at Alexandria Stadium in 1982. Zakaria Nasif shone in that match, scoring a hat-trick, along with two goals from Fawzi Skouti and one from Mokhtar Mokhtar.
The six-goal rout was not the only highlight of that match; it also marked the official debut of Osama Araby in the first team of Al Ahly, as he came on as a substitute for Mokhtar Mokhtar in the last twenty minutes, beginning the career of a player who would become one of the most prominent names in the history of the Red Fortress.
Historic Six Goals for Al Ahly Against Olympic Club
Al Ahly dominated the match against Olympic Club, managing to score six unanswered goals, showcasing a remarkable attacking performance from the Red Devils.
Zakaria Nasif netted three goals (a hat-trick), while Fawzi Skouti added two more, and Mokhtar Mokhtar capped off the scoring, although Mostafa Younis missed a penalty in the first half.
The match was a turning point in the 1982-1983 season, not only because of the significant scoreline but also because it marked the beginning of Osama Araby's journey with the first team.
Osama Araby: A Talent That Did Not Give Up Despite Early Struggles
Osama Araby was born on January 25, 1962, and began his football journey at an early age, attending trials at Al Ahly in 1975 when he was just thirteen, but he did not succeed.
He tried again in 1978 but was unable to join the team, before moving to Arab Contractors in 1981, where he trained with the first team for two weeks, but the club did not see fit to sign him.
However, Araby did not give up on his dream and returned to Al Ahly with the help of a club supporter, Abdel Moneim Mohamed Ali, who introduced him to Ahmed Maher, the coach of the Under-21 team at the time, allowing him to get his chance in the youth sector.
Mahmoud El-Gohary Gives Him a Chance with the First Team
In 1982, Mahmoud El-Gohary, the head coach of Al Ahly, along with Abdel Aziz Abdel Shafi, the director of football, decided to promote Osama Araby to the first team.
His official debut came during the match against Olympic Club in the fourth week of the Premier League for the 1982-1983 season, when he came on as a substitute for Mokhtar Mokhtar in the last 20 minutes of the match, which ended with Al Ahly winning 6-0.
Araby's journey with the first team began in the 1983-1984 season and continued until the end of the 1998-1999 season, where he became one of the most prominent midfielders in the club's history.
28 Titles: An Exceptional Harvest with the Red Fortress
Throughout his career with Al Ahly, Osama Araby won 28 titles, an exceptional achievement in his sporting career, contributing to the Red Devils' dominance in local, continental, and Arab competitions.
His achievements included winning the Egyptian League 10 times, the Egypt Cup 8 times, and clinching the CAF Champions League in 1987.
He also won the African Cup Winners' Cup four times in 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1993, the Afro-Asian Cup in 1989, and four Arab titles, including the Arab Cup Winners' Cup in 1995, the Arab Club Champions Cup in 1996, and two Arab Elite titles in 1997 and 1998.
Osama Araby at the 1990 World Cup with the Egyptian National Team
Araby's career extended to the national team, where he represented Egypt in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, being part of the squad that faced Ireland in the group stage.
Araby played the full match, which ended in a goalless draw in Palermo in June 1990, adding his World Cup appearance to his impressive record with Al Ahly and the national team.
Throughout his playing career, Araby was known for his discipline and commitment, receiving only one red card during a match against Zamalek, while scoring just 12 goals due to the nature of his role in midfield.
From Historic Player to Coaching in Al Ahly and Egyptian Clubs
After retiring from football, Osama Araby transitioned into coaching, working as part of the first team coaching staff at Al Ahly during the 2001-2002 season under Portuguese coach Manuel José, alongside Mokhtar Mokhtar and Hossam El Badry.
He contributed to the period that saw Al Ahly crowned champions of the CAF Champions League and the African Super Cup, before taking on other coaching roles, including managing El Entag El Harby and serving as an assistant coach with Hossam El Badry in the Olympic team.
Araby also coached several clubs in the Egyptian Premier League, leveraging his extensive experience as a player in Egyptian and African football.
The memory of October 17, 1982, remains a significant milestone in Osama Araby's history, as his first appearance with Al Ahly's first team came on the night of the six-goal rout against Olympic Club, marking the beginning of a career filled with titles and achievements with the Red Fortress.
