Gamal admits his role in rift with Wits coach Hunt
Egyptian keen to go to World Cup
Egypt striker Amr Gamal has conceded that he may be to blame for the fall-out he had with coach Gavin Hunt at Bidvest Wits.
Gamal had a short-lived loan spell of seven months in the Absa Premiership before leaving Wits in March.
The 26-year-old showed his quality at Milpark as he inspired the team to triumph in the Telkom Knockout. At Tuesday’s PSL awards he won the Player of the Tournament gong for his efforts.
But to the amazement of many football devotees, Gamal fell out of favour as rumours of a rift with Hunt began to surface. He now plays for HJK Helsinki in Finland. “I had an offer in Europe and maybe I spoke about it at a bad time with Wits. So there was a misunderstanding between me and Gavin and maybe he thought I was not focused on the club,” Gamal revealed.
“When we [Egypt] qualified for the World Cup I started to think about going to Europe and this took away my concentration. So that is life, it happens.”
Gamal is one of six players on standby after coach Hector Cuper named a provisional 29-man squad for the World Cup starting later this month.
The North Africans qualified for the first time since 1990. Gamal is hopeful of making the final and also admitted the nation is praying Liverpool star Mohamed Salah recovers in time from his shoulder injury.
“I still have hope because the final team is not out. Salah is the best player in Egypt, and in the world. I hope he will be back for the World Cup,” he said.
Gamal said he was prepared to play in the PSL again.
“In the first two months I wanted to help the team and it was very good for me. I hope I can come back again. I enjoy the football here in SA.”
Egypt are in Group A alongside hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. They open their campaign on June 15 against Uruguay.