Hesham Yakan

Zamalek SC

He played as a defender for Zamalek from 1982 to 1995, winning multiple Egyptian leagues and cups during the years. He was also a member of the team that win the African Champions League and Super Cup in 1984, 1985 and 1993.

Yakan was a regular starter for the Egyptian national football team from 1984 to 1993. He was a member of the squad that competed in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and in the 1988 and 1992 African Cup of Nations.

Eritrea

On 12 March 2026 Yakan was nominated the head coach of Eritrea national football team. He guided his side to victory in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification preliminary round, the first in decades for the national team.

He was born in Cairo, the son of football player Yaken Zaki. He came from a family of footballing traditions, his grandfather Yakan Hussein was also a football player for Zamalek and Egypt.