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Ahead
of the game against the Ivory Coast, Mohamed Shawky
who might not be able to feature due to minor injury
tells the Guardian that he is confident Egypt are the
true champions. The funny piece with England's top newspaper
sees the Egyptian almost ridiculed for his contrast
of fame and indifference when playing for Egypt, and
when in England with Middlesbrough.
Read also:
"We came here as champions and we
intend to go home as champions," says Shawky, before
Paul Doyle adds his own comments in a wonderfully witty
article: 'It's not every day a Middlesbrough player
gets to make such a bold declaration but then again,
Mohamed Shawky isn't an average Middlesbrough player;
he's a below-average Middlesbrough player; for now.'
He goes on to contrast Shawky's star status in the Egypt
camp with his somewhat ignored status in England. Shawky,
he writes, 'humbly admits that the adulation he enjoys
from Pharaohs fans contrasts markedly with the indifference
he inspires in Boro fans, most of whom wouldn't recognise
him even if he sat down beside them on the bus. Literally.'
Shawky says: "I often get the bus around Middlesbrough
when I'm buying groceries and not many people seem to
give me a second look. But when people do recognise
me, they're very nice and friendly." A footballer
catching the bus is beyond reason in England. In fact,
it's possible people assume it can't be Shawky as a
football would just not catch a bus!
The midfielder's interpreter mis-hears a question, and
Shawky answers about whether he goes clubbing in England.
"What are you talking about? I go to work, do my
best there and go straight home, unless I need something
at the shops. That's it. My life is simple and focused."
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A great fact stated was that Gareth Southgate, the Boro
manager, calls Shawky daily to check on him, and EP
thank Southgate on behalf of all Egyptians for this
wonderful gesture. "Even while I'm here in Ghana
he's been watching all our matches and he rings me almost
every day, encouraging and reassuring me," revealed
Shawky.
The confident player concluded: "Like I said, we
came here as champions and we intend to go home as champions."
Let's pray for Egypt ahead of the big semi-final game!..
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