Gift eyes Europe Links
Player hopes Egypt will be base to greater things
Former Platinum Stars leftwinger Gift Links, 19, anticipates that his move to Egyptian Premiership side Alassiouty Sport will pave a way for him to play in Europe. Links became the second SA player to ply his trade in the north African country after Phakamani Mahlambi’s historic move from Bidvest Wits to Al Ahly last September.
“I am very happy to be in Egypt. The Egyptian Premiership is very competitive and strong. This move will help me realise my dream to play in Europe because when you are here, Europe is not that far. This is a big step in my football career,” Links told Sowetan. “I was surprised when Plat- inum Stars told me that Alassiouty were interested in me.
“At first, I asked myself where they saw me but later I remembered that I played in the CAF Confederation Cup [in 2016] and I think that’s where they scouted me.”
The lad from Vryburg, North West, made his Alassiouty debut in their 2-1 loss to Ittehad Alexandria on Sunday, playing 65 minutes for his new club who are 11th on the log.
Though Mahlambi lives in Cairo – 150km north of Links’ base in Beni Suef city – Links says he is in touch with the exWits attacker who always motivates him to remain strong.
“I met Mahlambi the first day I arrived here. He tells me not to put pressure on myself. His presence has helped me to adapt. I am learning to speak Arabic but only the basics for now,” said Links.
Links was promoted from Dikwena’s youth ranks to the first team in 2016.
He only made eight senior team appearances in all domestic competitions, excluding the Confed Cup.