Mohamed Abdelwahab (July 13, 1983 – August 31, 2006) was an Egyptian footballer, playing in defence, who was an important part of the Egyptian squad that won the 2006 African Nations Cup.
He died during training with his club Al Ahly on 31 August 2006.





Mohamed Abdelwahab was born in the rural town of Al Fayyum called (Sanhoures).

Mohamed Abdelwahab began his professional career with Aluminum club and whilst there caught the eye of then national youth team coach Hassan Shehata, who included him in his squad.
He went on to be part of the Egyptian youth team that won the 2003 African Cup of Nations in Mali.




Mohamed Abdelwahab excellent form in the World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates encouraged UAE side Al-Zafra to sign him on a four-year-contract. However, he did not make any appearances at Al-Zafra and spent his first year on-loan to ENPPI.
Whilst ther, he was called up to the Egyptian national team by Italian coach Marco Tardelli.

Mohamed Abdelwahab scored on his debut in the national team's opening 2006 World Cup qualifier against Sudan.
Mohamed Abdelwahab then joined Al Ahly on a two-year loan but failed to secure a staring place in his first season with the club since coach Manuel Jose depended mainly on Angolan international Gilberto.





His break came in the 2005 African Champions League final against Etoile Sahel of Tunisia when Gilberto left the pitch injured after ten minutes.

Mohamed Abdelwahab was brought on and went on to set-up Osama Hosni for Al-Ahly's second goal in the 3-0 win that saw the club crowned African champions.



Mohamed Abdelwahab became a pivotal member of Hassan Shehata's national squad and helped Egypt win the 2006 African Cup of Nations on home soil by scoring the second penalty in the penalty shootout against Côte d'Ivoire.


His steady performances helped Al Ahly secure their second local title, the Egyptian Cup and African Super Cup in the same season.

Ahli then moved to Mohamed Abdelwahab on permanent basis from Al-Zafra who turned down the offer.



However, a clause in Mohamed Abdelwahab's contract with the UAE side allowed him to terminate the agreement and sign for Ahli, triggering a tug-of-war between Ahli and Al-Zafra and leaving the player inactive for the entire summer.


But fate chose to save the player from this transfer saga and his life came to an end before FIFA determined his future.



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Egypt lost one of the most promising talents in the current generation of players as Egypt international defender Mohamed Abdul-Wahab has passed away after suffering heart failure during practice on Thursday.


Abdul-Wahab collapsed during Ahli's morning training session and was rushed to 'Egypt International Hospital' in Dokki, Cairo, but the 22-year-old winger passed away before he could be revived.


"He just fell on the ground during training," said Ahli assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri in a phone interview with Al-Jazeera sports channel.
We tried to revive him on the pitch before taking him to the hospital where they did all they can to resuscitate him, but it was too late.


"It's a great loss... God rest his soul."


Asked if the player was suffering from exhaustion lately Al-Badri said: "Not at all. He wasn't even participating in matches lately.


"Abdul-Wahab, along with all of Ahli's players, underwent a full medical ahead of the World Club Championship last December."


"The cause of death is listed as heart failure on the coroner's report," Al-Badri added.




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