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Sherif Ekramy was featured in an interview in a national
Dutch newspaper based in Rotterdam. The article is translated
exclusively for EgyptianPlayers.com visitors.
Read also:
Photo: Feyenoord.nl
Sherif Ekramy Ahmed was voted the best goalie of the
2003 Youth World Cup. Now, three years later, the Egyptian
student of Economics & Political Science, branded
as The Buffon of Egypt in his home country, awaits a
challenge to defend the Feyenoord colours as a goalie.
The Cairo-born goalkeeper reckons Danish Peter Schmeichel
and Juventus’ Gianluca Buffon are prime examples
of exciting players. "I like their style, exposure
and charisma. Buffon plays in pink which is a daring
and challenging statement."
Sherif made his debut in an eye-blinding yellow outfit
against FC Twente and is expected to be first choice
for the remaining games in the regular competition,
prior to the end-of-season play offs. However, it is
very likely that coach Erwin Koeman will rely on Patrick
Lodewijks for the play-off deciders to claim a Champions
League spot. It seems second goalie Maikel Aerts is
no longer in the picture for the time being.
Goalkeeper trainer Pim Doesburg (who is a legend in
Holland) says on Sherif Ekramy: "This guy is 100%
stress-proof, but too laid back at times. He showed
no nerves whatsoever, but then again, he had no time
to prepare and to be excited in the first place. I will
personally make sure he realises he had the easiest
of debuts imaginable."
Ekramy’s career started when he was nine with
Al Ahly. During his first appearance for the club he
was fielded as a striker but couldn’t make any
headlines. History tells that he went straight back
home after being taken off and returned half an hour
later at the club, clad in the keeper’s jersey
of his older brother, this time to be reinstated on
a permanent base.
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Sherif Ekramy is the son of legendary Ekramy, who is still
with the Egyptian powerhouse as a goalkeeping trainer. Father
Ekramy was voted best African keeper of the previous millennium
but couldn’t capitalise on his excellent skills since
he wasn’t allowed to leave the country.
Sherif comments: “Actually, I am relieved I never made
it to the first team. They would never have let me go.
"My debut in a packed de Kuip is a tribute to my father,
who was 100 times better than I am. I kept telling myself
that when I took my place under the bar. I really wish he
would have been able to tell my story."
The father and mother of Ekramy saw their son perform via
satellite in the sad absence of their other son Ahmed who
ceased passed away two months ago. Sherif, who is married
without children, his wife living in Cairo, adds, “The
club awarded me ten days leave to reunite with my family to
commemorate my beloved brother."
Sherif continues: “I have had eight months to adapt
to my new surroundings, having to cope with the atrocious
weather conditions in the Netherlands. I have endured the
emotions of having lost a brother far away from home and with
my wife and family 4,000 kilometres away. I think this has
contributed to my current mindset and self-esteem. I am ready."
The paper adds that Sherif has gained a reasonable knowledge
of Dutch in a short time, enabling him to understand in context.
His pronunciation is almost perfect, since Dutch and Egyptian
cover particular ‘cords’ almost simultaneously.
He is already capable of communicating in a hotchpotch of
English and Dutch.
EgyptianPlayers.com will cover his games in detail with multimedia...
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