Shikabala extends stay at Zamalek

Zamalek and winger Mahmoud ‘Shikabala’ Abdel-Razek have agreed on contract extension ahead of the schedule, the Egyptian Premier League side announced.

The Egyptian international, whose old contract remained effective until the summer of 2021, penned a new two-year deal Thursday, which keeps him at Zamalek until 2023.

The 34-year-old came through the ranks of Zamalek in 2002 and had brief spells with Greek side PAOK, Portugal’s Sporting, UAE’s Al-Wasl and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Raed.

The winger comes from Aswan in southern Egypt and is the current captain of the White Knights.

Despite his brilliant displays for Zamalek, Shikabala has been experiencing the wrath of the Cairo giants supporters for not converting many goalscoring chances.

Although he played a bit-part role since his return to Zamalek from Greek side POAK in the summer of 2019, he has been a victim of racial abuse.

Recently a video circulated online after the 2020 African Champions League final which showed fans in Luxor’s Salah Al-Deen Square carrying a black dog wearing a Zamalek t-shirt and chanting “Shika”, in reference to the dark-skinned player.

Shikabala was linked with Napoli in January, but the Serie A side made no move for him after the African Champions League finals.

Zamalek are struggling to keep their players since the suspension of former president Mortada Mansour, with Tunisian midfielder Ferjani Sassi and other two un-named players rumored to be heading out of the club.