Ismaily relegated to the second division after 68 years | A shock for the Darawish
In a historic event that shook Egyptian football, Ismaily SC, one of the giants of the game in Egypt and nicknamed "Egypt's Brazil," was relegated to the second division (the professional league) for the first time in its 68-year history. This inevitable relegation came after their 2-1 loss to Wadi Degla in a match played as part of the tenth round of the final stage of the Egyptian Premier League relegation playoffs.
Historical background of a prestigious club
Founded in 1924, Ismaily SC is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Egypt and the Arab world. The team earned the nicknames "The Brazil of Egypt" and "The Dervishes" thanks to its entertaining and skillful style of play, which has been showcased across generations and often compared to Brazilian samba. Ismaily boasts a rich history of achievements, having been the first Egyptian and Arab club to win the African Champions League title in 1969, an accomplishment still etched in the memories of its fans. The club has also won the Egyptian Premier League title three times and the Egypt Cup twice, historically establishing it as one of the three pillars of Egyptian football alongside giants Al Ahly and Zamalek.
Causes of the collapse and its repercussions
Ismaily's relegation was not a sudden occurrence, but rather the culmination of a series of severe administrative, financial, and technical crises over the past few years. The club suffered from administrative instability, frequent coaching changes, and crippling financial difficulties that hampered its ability to retain its star players or make significant signings, leading to a marked decline in the team's performance. Although the team narrowly avoided relegation last season thanks to a decision by the Egyptian Football Association to cancel relegation, the problems persisted and worsened, making relegation this season a logical and inevitable consequence of the club's erratic trajectory. The team finished at the bottom of the table with only 19 points, plunging into the dark abyss of the second division.
The event's impact on the football scene
Ismaily's relegation represents a major blow to the Egyptian Premier League, which will lose one of its most popular and competitive teams. The absence of the "Canal Derby" and Ismaily's matches against Al Ahly and Zamalek will undoubtedly affect the strength and prestige of the league. Locally, the city of Ismailia is in deep mourning, as the club is an integral part of the city's identity and a source of pride. Regionally, Ismaily's relegation is seen as a harsh lesson illustrating how administrative mismanagement can bring down even the biggest sporting institutions. Now, the "Dervishes" face a difficult challenge to quickly return to their rightful place among the elite, a task that requires significant unity and a complete overhaul at all levels.
Details of the decisive match
The final match, which decided the team's fate, saw Mahmoud Diasty score Wadi Degla's two goals in the 22nd and 62nd minutes, while Burkinabe player Eric Traoré scored Ismaily's only goal in the 72nd minute. Although relegation was expected, feelings of sadness and shock dominated the faces of the "Brazil of Egypt" fans who were present in the stands to support their team until the last moment.
