Gamal out to follow friend, Reds’ Salah
‘He has been my friend for 15 years’
Egypt and Bidvest Wits striker Amr Gamal has ambitions of following in the footsteps of his good friend and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
The 25-year-old Salah has set the scene alight in the English Premiership as the top goalscorer with 13 goals. He has 19 overall in 24 appearances for the Reds.
For his trailblazing efforts, Salah was named the BBC African Footballer of the Year recently.
Gamal and Salah have been buddies for the last 15 years. They first met as opponents on the football pitch. As a youth player for Al Ahly, Gamal had fierce battles on the field with Salah’s El Mokawloon, but off it the duo have developed a strong bond.
“He is an inspiration for many of us in the national team. He gives us that belief to play in the top leagues in the world,” Gamal told Sowetan.
“It means a lot for Egyptian football to see him performing so well in England. Our country has produced many good players but they did not make it to the highest level like that.”
Egypt has for years produced top players like Mohamed Aboutrika, Hossam Hassan and Essam El-Hadary, but they never made it to the best leagues in Europe.
Salah has breached the ceiling and opened doors for a new generation of Egyptian footballers.
According to Gamal, 26, Salah showed from a young age that he was very talented.
“He has been my friend from 11 years old,” Gamal said.
“In the national team we always share a room. He has a strong mentality, we talk every day. He is motivated to get even better. He will improve and I believe he will go far.”
Gamal is an ardent Liverpool fan and dreams of playing at Anfield one day.
“Yes I am a Liverpool fan. Michael Owen was my favourite player from a young age,” Gamal said.
“Sometimes as a person you end up supporting a team because of your favourite player.”