Ittihad striker Edet Otobong tormented an Ahli side who will probably regret making light of his capabilities when he was available for a possible purchase last January. The in-form Cameroonian gave Ahli defense a torrid time in Friday's 2-2 Egyptian Premier League draw that extended the Red Devils' winless streak to four games. He put the hosts 2-1 up midway through the first half when he caught central defender Wael Gomaa napping to head home a pinpoint cross from the right. He caused Ahli's shaky backline constant problems with his dribble and pace and was unlucky not to add to his eight league goals which moved him level with the league's top scorer Shikabala of Zamalek. "I underwent a trial at Ahli last January," Otobong said in a phone interview with Modern Kora following the match. "But they eventually did not choose me," he added, apparently without knowing that former Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri was listening to his comments while giving his thoughts on the game in the sports channel. Al-Badri resigned from his post as Ahli coach last month after a string of poor results. The club named Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafi as an interim boss. The Cairo giants were dearly affected by the lack of a reliable striker this season and were forced to play without a recognized frontman on several occasions. Otobong, a rising start in the Egyptian league, could have solved the team's crisis had he arrived in the January transfer window. "When did you exactly come to Egypt to undergo a trial," Al-Badri, who seemingly feared he would be blamed by Ahli's faithful for not grasping the chance to sign Otobong on a free transfer, asked the 24-year-old. "I had that trial last January when Egypt were preparing for the African Cup of Nations, Ahli told me that Al-Badri was on a vacation in Canada," Otobong replied. Al-Badri looked to have breathed a sight of relief afterwards.
