Magdi Abdelghani
Encyclopedia
Magdi Abdelghani Sayed Ahmed (born 27 July 1959 in Cairo
; Arabic مجدي عبد الغني), known as Abdelghani, is a former Egypt
ian footballer, who played as an attacking midfielder .
, before immigrating to Portugal
in 1988, aged 29, signing with lowly S.C. Beira-Mar, which he helped always maintain its first division
status, averaging four goals per season, even though he appeared sparingly in his last year.
Abdelghani finished his career back in his country, first with El-Masry then Al-Mokawloon al-Arab; in 1987, he finished fourth in the race for African Footballer of the Year
.
for Egypt, representing the nation at the 1990 FIFA World Cup
in Italy
, and scoring their only goal of the tournament, a penalty
in the 1–1 draw with Holland
.
He also competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics
, and helped the Pharaons win the 1986 African Cup of Nations
, on home soil.
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
; Arabic مجدي عبد الغني), known as Abdelghani, is a former Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian footballer, who played as an attacking midfielder .
Club career
Abdelghani was a first-team mainstay for several years at local Al-AhlyAl-Ahly
Al-Ahly Sports Club , commonly known as simply Al-Ahly, is an Egyptian sporting club. Founded in April 1907, Al-Ahly was named in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football as the "African Club of the Century"...
, before immigrating to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
in 1988, aged 29, signing with lowly S.C. Beira-Mar, which he helped always maintain its first division
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
status, averaging four goals per season, even though he appeared sparingly in his last year.
Abdelghani finished his career back in his country, first with El-Masry then Al-Mokawloon al-Arab; in 1987, he finished fourth in the race for African Footballer of the Year
African Footballer of the Year
The African Footballer of the Year award, presented to the best African football player each year, has been conferred by the Confederation of African Football since 1992. An earlier African Footballer of the Year Golden Ball award was given out between 1970 and 1994 by France Football magazine...
.
International career
Abdelghani gained more than 90 capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Egypt, representing the nation at the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and scoring their only goal of the tournament, a penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
in the 1–1 draw with Holland
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
.
He also competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
, and helped the Pharaons win the 1986 African Cup of Nations
1986 African Cup of Nations
The 1986 African Cup of Nations was the 15th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Egypt. Just like in 1984, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four...
, on home soil.