Ahli superstar Mohamed Abou-Treika heaped praise on coach Manuel Jose and said the Portuguese is the main reason behind his improvement over the past few years. He said in a televised interview in Cairo after leading his side to third place in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan that Jose had a huge impact on his career. "Jose affected me both as footballer and man," Abou-Treika told Egyptian satellite network Dream TV on Tuesday. "I have full respect for him and I always consult him in personal issues because he is a very trusted person. "He improved me a lot on the pitch. His advices and remarks over my performance helped me turn into better player." Abou-Treika has been Egypt's favorite boy this year as he played a pivotal role during the Pharaohs victorious campaign towards the African Cup of Nations title in February. He led Ahli to clinching their second successive league title in May before the Red Devils secured the domestic double in the following month after beating arch-rivals Zamalek in the final. In November, Abou-Treika's stunning volley against Sfaxien in the African Champions League final meant Ahli retained the title of Africa's premier club competition. The 28-year-old playmaker completed the mission with three goals in as many matches in the Club World Cup as the Egyptians won bronze medal. Two of his goals in Japan were from trademark free-kicks, a talent, he reveals, was developed by Jose himself.
Jose "I used to take free-kicks in Tersana (before joining Ahli) but I was never that good till Jose taught me a couple of secrets," Abou-Treika said. "He improved my technique by telling me how and where to strike the ball in order to guide it to a certain corner. No Ahli, No Football "Jose also trained me on how to determine which way the keeper will dive before delivering the ball. Of course I won't reveal these secrets," a beaming Abou-Treika said. Abou-Treika's talents were unleashed when he signed for Ahli in January 2004 from struggling side Tersana. Despite arriving as a low-profile player with less than five international caps, he caught the attention of fans and pundits alike with his classy displays that put Ahli back on winning ways after suffering an embarrassing dip in form. Abou-Treika said that joining Ahli was a childhood dream that come true as well as a major shift in his career. "With all my respect to all clubs, if an Egyptian player hasn't played for Ahli, then he hasn't played football at all," he said. "Ahli is a giant organization that has a high-quality system where everybody does his work to ensure success. "They always treat players like human beings and that's what makes me very comfortable at the club "The club also has a huge base of fans who don't accept anything less than winning every competition."
