Goalkeeper Mahmoud El-Zanfaly has returned to his parent club El-Dakhleya after Al Ahly opted not to activate the optional buyout clause.
Al Ahly signed El-Zanfaly as an emergency option on loan last February following Mohamed El-Shennawy’s injury during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Unfortunately for the 32-year-old, he wasn’t able to make a single appearance during El-Shennawy’s long absence due to excellent performances from Mostafa Shobeir that helped the club win the CAF Champions League.
Despite acting mainly as a backup, El-Zanfaly still managed to collect Egyptian Premier League and Egypt Cup winning medals during his short time at the club.
With Al Ahly having a surplus of goalkeepers, namely El-Shennawy, Shobier, and young prodigies Hamza Alaa and Mostafa Makhlouf, the club has decided to let El-Zanfaly return back to his parent club and thank him for his short spell.
El-Zanfaly is expected not to remain at El-Dakhelya following their relegation to the second division, with several Egyptian Premier League eyeing a move for him.
Having played for Wadi Degla, El-Minya, Aswan, Raja Matruh, Ittihad of Alexandria, and Bank Al Ahly before, El-Zanfaly has more than 100 Premier League appearances under his belt in which he kept 32 clean sheets.