EGX ends in red on August 20    Egyptian pound weakens against US dollar on August 20    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt expresses 'deep dissatisfaction' to Netherlands over embassy attack    Global pressure mounts as Gaza fighting intensifies and death toll surges    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    At TICAD, Egypt's education minister signs pacts with Casio, SAPIX    Madbouly invites Japanese firms to establish industrial zone in SCZONE    Cairo, Tokyo sign LOI to expand educational cooperation, support for persons with disabilities    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Al-Sisi meets Qatar PM, Bahrain security adviser to discuss Gaza crisis, regional stability    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







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Tottenham Supporter… Again?
Ahmad Saied Published in FilGoal on 01 - 08 - 2006

Any foreigner visiting downtown Cairo during Premiership action last season could have thought he'd landed in North London by mistake.
Crowds in popular cafes (Ahwa) used to erupt in ecstasy or silenced in disappointment by Tottenham's matches, all for the sake of Ahmed Hossam 'Mido'.
Like all die-hard Arsenal fans all over the world, it was difficult to sympathize with the Gunners' traditional nemesis, but as an Egyptian I had no other option but to support Tottenham, so Egypt's most prominent striker can get a chance to feature in the UEFA Champions League next season.
And just as Egyptian interest in Tottenham started to fade after Mido's return to his original side AS Roma, and as Arsenal-in-Egypt fans prepared themselves to enjoy the rivalry again, Hossam Ghaly has forced a U-turn.
The former Ahli star put-on a string of impressive displays in Tottenham's pre-season friendlies and appeared ready to make an impressive Premiership debut.
Actually, Ghaly is no stranger at White Hart Lane.
He arrived in January from Dutch side Feyenoord but was instantly installed in the reserves team, never featured in a Carling Cup fixture and wasn't even given a jersey number!
Things got worse for Ghaly when he was shockingly dropped from Egypt's squad for the African Cup of Nations on home soil alongside one of the best Egyptian players of this generation, Mohamed Zidan.
And as people were about to dub Ghaly a failure, the former Ahli midfielder rose from the ashes and excelled. The man was a powerhouse in every position he played, especially as a holding midfielder.
With English international Michael Carrick switching to Manchester United and the unending praise coach Martin Jol heaps on Ghaly, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the 24-year-old starting beside Dutch veteran Edgar Davids next season.
This will be a better chance for Ghaly's to expand his fan base at home than playing in the Dutch League, which isn't particularly popular in Egypt.
It is also a golden opportunity for Ghaly to force himself on the Egyptian national team preparing for the African Cup qualifiers.
Now, as an Arsenal maniac, I will be forced to suppress my feelings and start routing for Spurs just for Ghaly's sake. But it's OK, we don't get to see an Egyptian playing in the Premiership everyday!

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