GERMANY – Borussia Dortmund striker Mohamed Zidan has said he has kissed the ground after arriving in Germany because he was relieved after ending his problems in Egypt. The Egyptian international knelt down to kiss the floor of the airport, after ending a mandatory stay in his homeland to resolve problems related to his military service. His action prompted some pundits and TV presenters to criticise him for "showing disrespect to Egypt". "I have endured some hard times lately," Zidan, who had ruptured a cruciate knee ligament in a Bundesliga game last April, told FilGoal.com. "I sustained a serious knee injury before facing some military problems, which delayed my return to Germany and could have affected my future with Dortmund. "I was over the moon after ending the military problems and returning to Germany. I was also very happy because I near full recovery. "That's why I knelt down to thank God and kiss the ground. Those were the signs of my happiness." Zidan said he was angry at comments questioning his commitment to Egypt. "I belong to this country, the country where I was born and raised," the 28-year-older, who was part of Egypt's African Cup of Nations winning squads in 2008 and 2010, added. "Kissing the ground in Germany does not mean that I do not love Egypt. My loyalty to Egypt cannot be questioned. "I'm just grateful to Germany for helping me become a prominent player, it is my second country." Zidan missed Egypt's 1-1 draw at home to Sierra Leone in their opening game of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers due to injury. Dortmund said he should return to action in October or November.
