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EXCLUSIVE:
In a breaking interview, Abdelzaher El Saka revealed
that he has signed for Genclerbirligi and is now captain.
He added that he has no intention of returning to Egypt,
as was claimed by Egyptian press, and denied a dispute
with the Konya manager, reported by Turkish press. As
far as the national team is concerned, the defender
was actually called up but apologised, he admitted to
EgyptianPlayers.com.
Read also:
El Saka in Gencler training
The veteran Abdelzaher El Saka udpated
the fans on his situation. He announced, through EgyptianPlayers.com,
that he is now back at Genclerbirligi and captain. Moreover,
he is settled in Turkey and denied returning to Egypt,
whether to Zamalek or not.
El Saka also revealed to EgyptianPlayers.com some shocking
news that he was called up by Hassan Shehata, but apologised
to the EFA as he had already promised his new club not
to go to the African Nations Cup. The 33-year-old thought
he would not be called up, but strongly denied rejecting
the call-up, reminding everyone that he has played for
Egypt for ten years and never rejected a call-up despite
the money he could have earned.
It is true. El Saka is the 6th most capped player in
Egypt's history, after Hossam Hassan, Ahmed Hassan,
Ibrahim Hassan, Hany Ramzy and Nader El-Sayed. He has
represented Egypt no fewer than 108 times, starting
in 1997 and playing 19 ACN games in 5 consecutive competitions.
He has lifted the trophy twice, in 1998 and 2006. In
the latter, he was one of only two outfield players
to play every second of Egypt's triumph.
The centre-back cleared up any rumours about an argument
with the new Konyaspor manager, adding that he asked
to mutually terminate the contract as he needed his
family alongside him, something not possible in Konya.
Finally, he showed his support to Egypt's representatives
in Ghana, adding that he is "very optimistic"
and expects us to reach the top four.
Full Interview:
EP: What is Abdelzaher El Saka's up-to-date situation?
El Saka: "I want EgyptianPlayers to announce
that exactly two weeks ago, I moved to Genclerbirligi,
which is now my new club."
EP: You returned to your old club...
El Saka: "And three days ago I received
the captain's role in the club and everything is moving
fine, thanks to God. I'm very happy here because my
family is back with me. It's been two years without
my family beside me and now the children are back with
me and everything is great. They've entered schools
here in Ankara and we are settled again."
EP: It's great to hear somebody is settled in Europe.
Everyone seems to be going back to Egypt these days!
El Saka: "No, no, I don't think of going
back at all and I don't think of playing in Egypt. I'm
settled here and my home is here."
EP: You revealed to EP about two years ago that you
would retire from international football after the African
Cup of Nations 2006. Is this the reason you aren't in
the squad or were you not picked?
El Saka: "I was supposed to retire internationally
after 2006, but of course Mr. Hassan Shehata (Egypt
manager) sat with me and told me that we need you and
so on, and said that I have to be with them. Nobody
can say no to the Egyptian national team.
"But in the last period, my club Genclerbirligi
spoke to me and said they'd sign me as long as I don't
go to the national team, and I gave them a promise.
I'd predicted that Mr. Hassan Shehata was not in need
of me. I'd had a two or three month spell where I wasn't
called up, but I was surprised to get a fax from the
FA saying that I must be present in the competition.
I said to them sorry , because I've given a promise."
EP: So is it possible to say, Abdelzaher El Saka
rejected the national team?
El Saka: "Nobody can say no to the Egyptian
national team. I did not reject them and it was the
recent situation that forced this upon me, as I'd given
the people at Gencler a promise, and assumed Egypt would
not call me up.
"But in the past I've played about 95% of Egypt's
games in the last ten years. I'm the most capped defender
in the history of Egypt; I've played more games than
anyone. And if I wanted to reject the national team
I would have done that before, but I've had arguments
and disputes with my clubs so many times in the past
because I've insisted on leaving them for the national
team, and I've rejected huge money on various occasions
which I could have got if I hadn't insisted on representing
the national team."
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EP: Going back to club football, what exactly happened
at Konya?
El Saka: "As far as Konya is concerned,
I got bored and had enough because the kids weren't
with me. Of course I was the captain of the team, and
they gave me there the utmost respect and appreciation.
I sat with the board and told them that I can't continue,
and they were understanding and appreciated that this
was my choice and could affect my performances."
EP: Turkish reports said you'd had an argument with
the new manager...
El Saka: "No, no, I even went to the new
manager and thanked him after what had happened (contract
termination). And then he spoke to my new manager and
told him that this guy (El Saka) is definitely professional
and sensible, and that this player will be of great
benefit to you. It's completely different to what was
written about a dispute between me and the new manager.
EP: Back to the national team, what are your general
expectations for the tournament?
El Saka: "To be honest I’m really
optimistic. The Egyptian national team consists of players
who are very, very good, and very, very unique. They
are also at the highest level of professionalism, they
have manners and commitment. And as I said in 2006,
these players we have will not be repeated again. Really,
they don’t have this sense of intolerance towards
each other like in the old days. They’re young,
ambitious and talented."
EP: Which teams should we look out for, in your
opinion?
El Saka: "Every competition has its people.
A black horse always comes out in every tournament;
a team performs better or worse than expected, etc.
But it is predicted that Cameroon will be very strong.
They’re coming with a new, revived and young team.
Nigeria too are so strong of course. And Ghana in their
own home won’t be easy at all. It’s going
to be really tough."
EP: So... do you think Egypt will defend its trophy?
El Saka: "It’s never been possible
to predict the final. You get into the last eight and
it becomes unpredictable and really hard, and the same
in the semi-finals where one game decides it. We’ll
see."
More exclusive content coming your way soon on EgyptianPlayers.com...
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