After his success in Belgium with Gent, Mido signed a five-year contract with Eredivisie team Ajax in 2001.[13] He suffered a concussion during their UEFA Cup match with Limassol, after colliding with a defender.[14] He made his return for the team against Heerenveen, a match which Ajax lost 5–1.[15] However, he was sent off against Twente, after kicking Spira Grujić whilst trying to beat him to the ball, for which he was later given a three-match ban.[16][17] He returned for Ajax against Vitesse, coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute.[18] He failed to be selected for the substitutes bench against Feyenoord in March 2002,[19] which was due to a minor clash with manager Ronald Koeman, and Mido left for a short vacation in Cairo.[20] Mido scored in Ajax's victory over Utrecht in the KNVB Cup final, meaning he ended the 2001–02 season with the Dutch League and Cup double.[21]