A former Al Ahly star has revealed that he had no issue being loaned out during his time under Pitso Mosimane at the club – but did take exception to one particular matter.
Check Out: Yanga 'Give' Wydad Aziz Ki Ultimatum
The 2019/20 season marked Ahmed El Sheikh’s final campaign with the Club of the Century. In the early stages of that season, the Egyptian winger was a regular contributor for Ahly, either from the bench or as a starter under Swiss coach Rene Weiler.
However, the campaign was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. And although Weiler continued to win matches after the resumption of football, he departed with a month of fixtures remaining at the end of August 2020.
He was succeeded by South African tactician Pitso Mosimane, but El Sheikh quickly fell down the pecking order, featuring in just five matches under the Kagiso-born coach.
That would turn out to be the one-time capped international’s final season at the Cairo International Stadium, as he left to join Pyramids FC in the following campaign. Now 34, El Sheikh has reflected on that period, revealing that he would not have minded being sent out on loan, but refused to be just a bystander in the squad.
“I had no problem going out on loan during my last stint with South African coach Pitso Mosimane, but I didn’t like the idea of being just an employee who only attended training sessions,” El Sheikh said during an appearance on the Ya Masaa Al Anwar programme on MBC Masr 2.
Check Out: After Trent, New Liverpool Star 'Agrees' To Real Madrid Move
He also disclosed that he turned down an offer to play in Europe due to timing concerns.
“I also rejected an offer to play professionally in the Czech league because the timing wasn’t right, and I was ready to play in any strong league at the time.”