|
Abdelzaher El Saka has revealed that he almost signed
for Egyptian giants Zamalek, but that he is now certain
that he doesn't want to return to Egypt until he has
fulfilled his dreams abroad.
Read also:
Abdelzaher El Saka's Konyaspor had to
cope without him last weekend. The Egyptian was injured
in the last Turkish League game. His knee ligaments
were torn and he will need at least three weeks to recover.
In the absence of El Saka, Fenerbahce went rampant against
Konyaspor and won very convincingly with a score of
5-0.
El Saka is in Egypt currently, and revealed to Al-Gomhuria
that he chose to be back in his homeland to receive
treatment. "I preferred to return to Egypt for
my treatment.
"There were some problems at the club as a result.
The Turkish team doctor threatened that he would resign
but I had a meeting with the former club President and
the manager and told them my desire to return to Egypt
to have my treatment. I signed an agreement to say that
I am responsible for my return to Egypt and the reason
that I stuck with the idea of getting treatment in Egypt
is that it to show to Turkey that sports medicine in
Egypt is advanced, especially that there is an idea
in Turkey that Egypt is still backwards."
The defender also revealed that he was almost on his
way to Zamalek, but that the Egyptian media's criticism
of him led him to think again. "Since the Zamalek
club elections there have been attempts to bring me
back to play in the Egyptian League. I rejected to be
used as part of an election campaign," he revealed.
"After the elections I had a meeting with the former
Zamalek President after he had successfully negotiated
me into agreeing to go to Zamalek. The offer was serious
and I felt good about it.
|
|
|
|
"But the negotiations didn't complete because of
the Egyptian media which made it out that I was coming
to the Egyptian League after nearing retirement, and
that I was looking for lost fame despite that not being
true, and the proof of that is that I'm continuing until
now on the pitch.
"If I had agreed on the Zamalek offer I would have
been under extreme pressure to reply to the reluctant
Egyptian media with, and this would have affected by
concentration on the pitch.
"To add to that, I found that the general atmosphere
in Egypt wasn't right, let alone the demotivating footballing
standard. The financial offer from Zamalek was great
compared to what they pay Egyptian players. Also, the
club that I play for in Turkey renewed my contract for
two seasons with clauses that I put into the contract."
Both Ahmed Hassan and Abdelzaher El Saka feel they can
carry on in Europe. Just months ago it looked as though
they may return to Egypt, but the African Cup of Nations
among other things has made them want to stay abroad.
"The Zamalek board have spoken to Ahmed Hassan
too, and have negotiated with us in order to move to
the club next season.
"But the decision that I took is that I won't return
to Egypt at all until I have retired completely."
EgyptianPlayers.com will keep you updated...
- Discuss the latest about our professionals abroad
in EP
forums
- Read more reports about Egyptian players in the
Turkish league in the professionals page one
- Download Ahmed Hassan and El Saka's goals from multimedia
page
- Check this special offer: Web Hosting for only $9.95/month
Click
here!
|
