Wadi Degla promoted to Premier League

Egyptian businessman Maged Sami had another night to remember after Wadi Degla, the team he owns, sealed their first Egyptian Premier League promotion on Wednesday.

كتب : Hatem Maher

الأربعاء، 12 مايو 2010 - 21:19
Egyptian businessman Maged Sami had another night to remember after Wadi Degla, the team he owns, sealed their first Egyptian Premier League promotion on Wednesday.

The club that was founded in 2003 booked a spot in the elite competition after beating Railways, Egypt's oldest club, 3-1.

The win lifted the Group 2 leaders to 63 points, five ahead of second-placed Dakhlia.

They joined Smouha and MCSD, who will also experience Premier League football for the first time in their history, in the top flight.

Wadi Degla were promoted to the Premier League after just one season in the second division, a feat that was achieved only once by Arab Contractors in 1981.

"God has rewarded us for the huge efforts we have exerted throughout the season," Wadi Degla coach Hesham Zakareya told FilGoal.com.

"I have to thank the board of directors for the continuous support they offer for the team. I hope we can make a good impression in the Premier League."

Sami, one of the few Egyptian businessmen who own clubs, will bask in two achievements.

Belgian side Lierse SK, who are also owned by him, earned promotion to the Belgian first division last month.

Wadi Degla, who are based in Maadi, a wealthy suburb in Southern Cairo, boarded an open-top bus to celebrate their achievement.

"Congratulations for Premier League promotion," read a sentence written on the side of the bus that was painted in the colors of Degla, yellow and black.