Egyptian football icon Essam El-Hadary, now goalkeeper coach for the Syrian national team, expressed gratitude to the Syrian Football Association for renewing their trust in the coaching staff led by Argentine Hector Cuper.
Regarding his thoughts on the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast, the former Pharaohs goalkeeper stated via Egyptian TV channel CBC, “This current edition is disappointingly weak, not living up to our expectations.”
El-Hadary elaborated, “The premature exits of Arab teams are unjustifiable, especially considering the tournament’s low level.”
Speaking on the impressive performance of Syrian national team goalkeeper Ahmad Madania, El-Hadary commented, “Any goalkeeper in the world needs hard work and rigorous training to shine, as seen with Madania, who is delivering good performances.”
Addressing rumors of a rift between Egyptian national team goalkeepers Mohamed El-Shennawy and Mohamed Abou-Gabal, El-Hadary dismissed them, saying, “The relationship between El-Shennawy and Abou-Gabal is at its highest level.
There is strong competition between them, but there are no disputes; these are fabrications.”
Elaborating further, El-Hadary stated that if he were the goalkeeper coach for the Egyptian national team in the current AFCON, he would consider including Mohamed Bassam, goalkeeper for Ceramica Cleopatra, and Mahmoud Gad, goalkeeper for Al Masry, in addition to the four goalkeepers already selected for the tournament (Mohamed El-Shennawy, Ahmed El-Shennawy, Mohamed Abou-Gabal, and Mohamed Sobhi), with the final decision to be made among the six.
El-Hadary revealed his conversation with Mustafa Shobier, former Al Ahly goalkeeper, after Mohamed El-Shennawy’s shoulder injury.
He told Shobier that he plays for the best club in Africa and is one of the best goalkeepers.
Reflecting on his legacy, El-Hadary humbly remarked, “My father Kamal El-Hadary brought me into this world and then closed the factory.
There is no successor for me on the pitch, but perhaps there is someone better than me.”
