Today marks the birthday of Safwat Abdel Halim, the Al Ahly captain and midfield star of the 1970s, born on October 9, 1951, in the Al-Sharabia district.

Safwat Abdel Halim began his journey in Al Ahly’s youth sector at the age of eleven and was promoted to the first team in 1968 before turning seventeen, when the late Mohamed Abdo Al-Wahsh fielded him against the Iraqi army on April 2, 1968.

Known as the “Little Maestro,” Safwat Abdel Halim was the captain of Al Ahly’s 1970s team (known as the Students’ Generation) and a former midfielder for the Red Castle. He officially debuted with the team against Al-Tayaran in the opening of the 1972/1973 season, winning the league title six times and the Egypt Cup twice with Al Ahly.

Abdel Halim played 148 matches with the Red Devils, scoring only 6 goals despite starting his career as a forward, including a goal against Adel Al-Maamour, the goalkeeper of Zamalek.

The veteran Al Ahly star retired at the end of the 1980/1981 season. During his career, he also played professionally in Lebanon in the early 1970s.

After retirement, Safwat Abdel Halim moved into coaching, serving as the first team coach of Al Ahly alongside head coach Shawky Abdel Shafi, and they won the Egypt Cup in 1991.

Safwat Abdel Halim passed away at the end of September 2018 at the age of 67 due to a fire that broke out in his home.