Who is Mohamed Zakaria and What is His Role in Developing Football Academies?
Mohamed Zakaria is considered one of the prominent figures in the world of football — both as a former professional player and as a distinguished coach with a clear vision for developing skills and nurturing emerging talent. His sports journey spans over two decades, during which he played in several countries before transitioning into coaching, where he emerged as one of the leading minds contributing to the growth of football academies on an international level, particularly in Asia.
A Diverse Playing Career and a Global Footprint
Mohamed Zakaria began his professional football career with Al-Mansoura Club in Egypt from 1998 to 2001, before moving to Kahrabaa Talkha Club until 2006. His ambitions extended beyond his home country, as he went on to enjoy successful stints abroad — playing in Singapore for Woodlands Wellington between 2008 and 2009, and later in the United States for Miami FC in 2010. These diverse experiences helped shape his sporting personality and gave him a deep understanding of different football cultures and training methodologies.
A Strategic Shift into Coaching
After retiring from professional play, Zakaria didn’t step away from the pitch. Instead, he turned to coaching, armed with his rich experience and passion for the game. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Mansoura University in 2002 and later obtained the AFC/CAF ‘C’ coaching license, which qualified him to work with prestigious training institutions.
He has held several key coaching positions in Singapore, including:
- Head Coach – United World College
- Technical Director – Euro Soccer Academy
- Coach – Singapore American School (SAS)
- Head Coach – International Football Academy
His Impact on Football Academy Development
Mohamed Zakaria is known for his training philosophy, which focuses on developing both individual and team skills, with a strong emphasis on fitness, tactical intelligence, and mental discipline. He believes that a successful academy is not just about teaching football techniques, but about creating an environment that encourages players to think, create, and collaborate.
He played a key role in designing tailored training programs that suit players of different ages and skill levels. Moreover, he is deeply committed to mentoring young coaches, sharing his expertise to help build a new generation of qualified and capable trainers.
A Clear Vision and Ongoing Ambition
Zakaria believes that football academies form the true foundation for producing professional players capable of representing their clubs and countries with excellence. He sees development as a continuous journey — one that requires lifelong learning and an openness to the latest modern techniques and technologies in coaching.
Through a combination of professional playing experience and academic knowledge, Mohamed Zakaria has become a model of the modern coach — one who is capable of making a lasting impact on the future of football, not only in Singapore but across the global sports landscape.
