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Shikabala: "I want to lead PAOK to top"

Date: 25-7-2005
Wrote: EP's reporter Ibrahim Azab

Egyptian rising talent Shikabala was interviewed by PAOK's official website. EP presents a translated version of the interview.




Sure Greece constitute a new page in your life. How you handled the changes in lifestyle between Egypt and Greece?

Well, I left Egypt at young age to Greece which is quite different from Egypt. For a young guy like me, it would be a very difficult thing. However, everyone at PAOK received me with love starting from the club administration, the coaching staff, the players and the fans and this made everything easy for me.

You believe that the PAOK is a team in which you can achieve your goals?

As I started preparations with the team I realized that we have very good players. I believe that the next season will be very successful one for PAOK and our fans will be very happy.

Before you came to PAOK, have you contacted any of the other Egyptian players who played for PAOK before?

Yes! When I knew that I will join PAOK I started to learn more details about my future team. Hossam Hassan, who was a former player of PAOK, was a teammate in Zamalek team. We used to stay in the same room in team trips so we had long time to talk together. He told me that in PAOK I can achieve my ambitions and I can also help the team achieve alot of positive things.

How you would comment on the atmosphere that prevails in the dressing room?

The players received me with the best possible way. From the first moment the persons of Administration, me teammates were near my. I feel as if I find myself in my home.

Do you watch the European football? Who is your favorite player?

Yes! I like particularly the Spanish championship and my beloved team is Barcelona. The player that with I like much is Ronaldinho.

What you consider that they are the advantages and disadvantages of you as footballer?

My advantage is that I can get past a lot of players as you see I am a good dribbler. I think the negative thing is that I need to work better on my physical fitness so I can perform equally during the full 90 minutes.


Your style of play means that the players of other teams will make harsh tackles on you. Do you ever get afraid from that?

I am not afraid and it means absolutely nothing for me. During the game, my mind is only focused on the ball. I do not think about my opponents. I only think how we will reach victory.

Which position on the field you prefer to play in? In other words, you prefer to be the scorer or the one who create chances?

I like I play behind attack and I like to create the occasions in order to score goals. But I also enjoy scoring goals same as assisting them.

Do you imagine the moment when you will enter a sold out Toumpa stadium while you hear 30.000 PAOK fans shouting your name?

Of course I will be happy and I will be thankful to all the great fans of PAOK. I always perform well when the stadium is full. It happened to me in Egypt before. I was 16 year old and a played a pass to Hossam Hassan and he scored a great goal. After that, we heard our names from the 100.000 fans who attended that game. It was something that I will never forget.

What do you like to say to PAOK supporters who warmly welcomed you from day one at the club?

I want them to support us in the good and the hard times that may come. They will see a new team that is willing to do the best. Personally, I will do my best to lead PAOK to top.