By: Ahmad Saied Ghanaian midfielder Awuley Quay, best known in Egypt as Junior, restored his starting spot with Zamalek as he looked slimmer and sharper, emulating his form in the beginning of last season when he first arrived in Cairo. He was on fire during his first few matches with Zamalek till he was handed a six-match ban for improper conduct in a league game and then failed to get back into action till this season. Although he scored only once in 11 league games, he plays a key role in the midfield and fans put big hopes on his shoulders to win Egypt's premier trophy that was last clinched three seasons ago. He explains his rejuvenated form in an exclusive interview with FilGoal.com in addition to his views over Zamalek's title chances, the comparison with Zamalek captain Hazem Emam and a reported fight with controversial boy Ibrahim Saied. Why do Zamalek struggle against small teams? I haven't spent long time here in Egypt but I hear that losing points against small teams has been always Zamalek's problem. Underdogs try to do their best against giant clubs like Zamalek and they always play with closed and defensive strategies that make things harder. The positive thing is that we create many chances and with a little focus on finishing we can be winning these games without trouble. But Ahli do well against small sides although they play with similar strategies. Zamalek fans are busy with Ahli and always talking about their results which is something I don't like. We need to focus on ourselves and try winning all our matches and then we would be crowned league champions. We have to make others wary from us. How did you restore your starting berth this season? I had to do some extra work because (manager Manuel) Cajuda wants all the team to defend when losing the ball no difference between a playmaker and a defender, something that didn't previously suit my style.
But I changed my way to fit into his plans and now I get back a lot to defend because if I lost the ball he will say you team mates gave it to you and you let it go. This makes me happy because it taught me to fight back and remain always fit. Have you been annoyed by the bench role last season? Of course I was. I told the coach either to tell me what I have to do to play or he should let me go because it is not all about money, it is about enjoying football. What is the latest over your financial problems with Zamalek? I have only taken $80,000 from a total of 250,000. The club promised to give me the remaining money and I trust them because I don't want to fight about money anymore. If they gave it to me, it is fine. If not, then God judges. It seems you have no plans to stay with Zamalek. I don't know whether I will stay with Zamalek if they offered me a contract extension or not. It is too early to decide. We still have about half a season to go and I am focusing on football now. People always compare you with Hazem Emam. What do you think about this comparison? We are different players who have different styles. He has qualities I don't have and I have qualities he doesn't have. Apart from this, this is a wrong comparison in the first place because I haven't seen a player whose all country love him and chant his name wherever his team play. Even Abedi Pele, who was a great player, wasn't loved by all the Ghanaians. Second, how can anybody compare a player like Hazem with his high-profile with Zamalek and Egypt to a player that hasn't even won a league title for the team like me? Do you enjoy good relationships within the team? I do enjoy a friendly atmosphere in Zamalek as I love and respect all the players and they do in return. I even have close friends here like Mohamed Aboul-Ella.
