Al-Ahly Benghazi officially announced on Wednesday the death of its historical star, Wanees Kheir, widely known as “Al-Shari,” who passed away this morning after a short battle with illness, in tragic news that cast deep sadness over the Libyan sporting community and football fans in various cities, remembering his virtues and his long journey. In an official statement published through its accounts on social media platforms, the club confirmed that the sporting family has lost one of its most prominent pillars, describing the departed as a legend who left an indelible mark on the club’s footballing history.
The club mourned the departed with moving words reflecting the magnitude of the loss, stating: “With broken and pained hearts, submissive to God’s will, Al-Ahly Club mourns the death of Al-Ahly’s son and one of its immortal legends, Captain Wanees Kheir.” The club’s management extended its deepest condolences to his family. The club also announced that the funeral procession would take place after Maghrib prayer this Wednesday, inviting all admirers of the departed and his companions to attend and participate in the burial and console his family in this great tragedy.
Wanees Kheir is considered one of the most prominent names linked to the history of Al-Ahly Benghazi, known for his wise leadership on and off the pitch, as well as his high morals and lofty sporting spirit that earned him the respect of everyone, colleagues and competitors alike. After retiring from playing, “Al-Shari” continued to serve his club by taking on technical and administrative roles, contributing effectively to the development of young talents and supervising youth teams within the institution.
Several Libyan clubs, led by Al-Ittihad Club, issued condolence statements expressing their sadness, while fans shared memories of his historic matches. With the passing of Wanees Kheir, Libyan football loses one of its icons, but his legacy will live on in the memory of his admirers, and his name will remain engraved in the record of the stars who made the history of the game in the country.