Egyptian football club Al Ahly hosted Hersi Said, president of the African Clubs Association, on October 29, 2026, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and develop African football. The meeting, held at Al Ahly's headquarters in Cairo, was attended by Khaled Mortaji, Al Ahly's treasurer and member of the African Clubs Association, as well as other senior club officials. The discussions focused on improving competitions, upgrading various aspects of the game, and leveraging successful experiences within the continent.
The visit aimed to explore cooperation mechanisms between the African Clubs Association and various clubs, with a focus on developing competitions and elevating different elements of the game. Hersi Said expressed his gratitude for the warm reception at Al Ahly, emphasizing that the visit is part of ongoing efforts to develop African football, supported by Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Said highlighted that he chose to visit Al Ahly first due to its rich history spanning over 120 years, making it a model for other African clubs to learn from. He praised Al Ahly's development in the football sector, its efforts to keep pace with global developments, and its impressive infrastructure, which he described as a source of pride for African football.
The African Clubs Association president also acknowledged Al Ahly's commitment to developing its sports and administrative systems, citing it as an example for other clubs to follow. Khaled Mortaji conveyed greetings from Al Ahly's president, Mahmoud El-Khatib, to Hersi Said, further solidifying the relationship between the club and the association.
During the visit, discussions also centered on leveraging expertise and successful experiences within Africa to support the growth of football on the continent. The two parties explored ways to enhance cooperation, with a focus on improving competitions, developing youth football, and upgrading infrastructure.
As a gesture of appreciation, Mortaji presented Said with Al Ahly's shield, flag, and team jersey, symbolizing the club's commitment to cooperation with African football institutions. The meeting concluded with a positive outlook on future collaborations between Al Ahly and the African Clubs Association.
The visit by Hersi Said to Al Ahly reflects the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between African football institutions and clubs, with the ultimate goal of promoting the development of football on the continent. Key discussions during the visit included cooperation mechanisms, competition development, and infrastructure upgrade.
Key points
- Al Ahly hosts African Clubs Association president to discuss cooperation and development of African football
- Discussions focus on improving competitions, upgrading various aspects of the game, and leveraging successful experiences within Africa
- Visit aims to strengthen ties between African football institutions and clubs to promote development of football on the continent
