Career
Central defender Mahmoud Fathala has managed the impressive feat of earning a regular starting place for the Egyptian national team despite playing his club football for relatively modest Egyptian top-flight outfit Ghazl Al-Mehalla.
Fathala first began making waves on the national-team scene after being selected for Egypt's U-23 side, before breaking into the Pharaohs' senior squad for the first time three years ago under the command of Hassan Shehata. Fathala is also able to play as a roving sweeper, with many considering his best performance in an Egyptian shirt to have come at the CAF African Cup of Nations in Ghana in 2008. There he was deployed alongside fellow defenders Wael Gomaa and Hani Said in a 3-5-2 formation as Egypt won their sixth Cup of Nations crown.
On his return from Ghana he made the switch to current club Zamalek after turning down a move to French side Paris Saint-Germain. An excellent man-marker, Fathala's positional sense and reading of the game offset his lack of pace. He is also a player to watch out for at set pieces, having scored a host of goals at club level thanks to his powerful aerial ability.
In 2010, Fathalla has been linked to Zamalek rivals, Al-Ahly. But He denied the rumors and stated that he will never play for Al-Ahly.
On Sunday December 5, 2010 after 6 months of negotiations Fathalla signed a four year contract with Zamalek ending all speculation about his future.
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