Hany Abo Rida move to cool the storm wey Hossam Hassan comments cause. The Egyptian Football Association president throw him weight behind Mohamed El Shenawy with firm message of support, insisting say Al Ahly goalkeeper and Egypt captain remain one of the loyal icons of Egyptian football, a man wey everybody hold in appreciation and respect. Those remarks come, according to the association official website, to draw line under the speculation over El Shenawy future with the Pharaohs.
The surprise call to leave him out of the current camp, in preparation for the two matches against Angola and South Sudan in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, had set tongues wagging.
Pressed by a journalist on the association stance towards Egypt first-choice keeper, Abo Rida talk say: ‘Mohamed El Shenawy na one of the loyal sons of Egyptian football, and he don provide, and still dey provide, a career rich in giving and achievements with the Egypt national team and Al Ahly club. El Shenawy history and him standing as a player and captain dey held in great appreciation and respect by the Egyptian Football Association, and we dey proud of everything he dey offer Egyptian football.’
The row start with Egypt boss Hossam Hassan. He light the fuse for the pre-match press conference ahead of Egypt clash with Angola, scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, for Cairo Stadium, when he explain why he drop El Shenawy. The Brigadier talk say: ‘Mohamed El Shenawy at one point was finished, and was not playing for him club, yet he return to him level through the Egypt national team. He no be the only one, but there other players too.’
Him message blunt: the decision come down to football, nothing else. ‘I could have said that I leave El Shenawy out because of injury, but these na my choices, whether he injured or not,’ the Pharaohs coach talk. Even so, Hassan make a point of respecting him captain. ‘All respect to all the players, especially Mohamed El Shenawy, as he be one of the leaders of the Egypt national team, and one of the players I hold in high regard,’ he add.
Abo Rida words carry clear purpose. They reassure the football public and affirm say dropping El Shenawy no do anything to him historical value, just as the national team dey gear up for two decisive matches on the road to the AFCON.
Former Smouha SC president Farag Amer don defend Mohamed El Shenawy, the goalkeeper for Al Ahly FC and the Egypt national team, praising the role he play with both the national team and the red club.
Amer state on him official Facebook account say nobody can deny the significant contributions Mohamed El Shenawy make, whether in him international career or in guarding the goal of Al Ahly FC in various competitions. The former president of Smouha SC highlight the noble stance of the international goalkeeper and him sacrifice to remain within the walls of Al Ahly FC, reminding fans of him rejection of a huge offer to move to the Saudi Pro League.
Al Ahly FC go face Petrol Asyut on Wednesday, October 7, in the first round of the Cairo Capital Cup.
