A legend visits: Coach Desiree Ellis at Right to Dream Egypt
- salmahamed
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
One of African football’s biggest names just dropped by our Egypt Academy and left impressed.
South Africa Women’s National Team coach Desiree Ellis visited our Egypt Academy earlier this week. A legend of the game and four-time CAF Coach of the Year, Coach Desiree has helped shape the rise of women’s football across the continent. Her visit marked a major moment for us.
From touring our facility to spending time with players and staff, Coach Desiree shared thoughtful reflections on what she saw: the little details embedded in our work, the inclusive environment we’re shaping, and the growth of our women’s program.
She described the facility as a top setup that meets everyone’s needs. To her, the success of our women’s team wasn’t a surprise but a natural outcome of care and consideration at every level.
For Mariam Abouhegazy, Head of Women & Girls at Right to Dream Egypt, it was a full-circle moment.
“If anyone had told me three years ago, when we first started our Women & Girls’ program, that Coach Desiree Ellis would be visiting our facility and praising the work that’s been done, I would never have believed it. It’s a huge honor and something that helps us strive to take the program even further.”
And we’ve come far.
FC Masar women’s team are the reigning domestic double champions and they’re on track for back-to-back league titles.
But it goes deeper than silverware. It’s about building a system where talent is seen, supported, and given a clear pathway forward.
Our girls' academy is nurturing the next generation of female talent, and earlier this year, defender Shadia Nankya signed for Washington Spirit in the NWSL after a standout CAF Women’s Champions League campaign.
Coach Desiree’s visit wasn’t just a proud moment. It was a push forward, for us, for our players, and for the future of women’s football in the region.
