Former Ahli youth player Mohamed Hegazi 'Mando' says he is close to joining Ismaili on a six-month loan from Belgian third-division side KV Turnhout. "Ismaili have finalized talks with me. I'm just waiting for Turnhout's approval," Mando told FilGoal.com early on Friday. "I will join Ismaili on a loan deal until the season's end; with a view to a permanent switch should both clubs reach an agreement." Mando, son of prominent sports critic Ibrahim Hegazi, came through Ahli's youth ranks but failed to convince coach Manuel Jose that was good enough to play first-team football. During a press conference in March 2008, a journalist criticized Jose for not giving youngsters the chance to shine. The Portuguese boss reacted furiously and asked the journalist to name a youth-team player who deserved to be promoted to the senior level. When Mando's name was mentioned, Jose said the player was not talented and the 22-year-old forward subsequently left Ahli. He tried his luck in the Belgian third-division with Turnhout, but failed to feature regularly.
