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EXCLUSIVE:
Sherif Ekramy, Egypt's only goalkeeper abroad, says
that he is keen to become Feyenoord' number one in the
future, and once at that stage, the first choice for
the national team too.
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In a call with EgyptianPlayers.com on
Monday evening, the shot-stopper admitted disappointment
at his injury, but optimism for the future. Sherif Ekramy
says he is only weeks away from returning fully.
Ekramy also indicated that he hopes to repay the club
that brought him to Europe by being their number-one
choice as soon as possible, but hinted that if his chance
doesn't come at De Kuip, he would consider leaving,
but only if the club agrees.
"I have a contract with them which I have to respect
and be a professional in," said Ekramy, who hopes
the club will give him the right chance soon.
Everything is down to becoming number one choice it
seems, as that is when the former Ahly keeper hopes
to break into the national team. "I don't think
I'll get called up for the coming ACN," he admits,
later adding: "Once I am first keeper in Europe
I would be disappointed if I wasn't for Egypt."
Ekramy has received a fax from the national team, as
have all our players in Europe, but it remains to be
seen who is called up. At the moment, he is concentrating
on returning, before hoping to break into the starting
eleven for Feyenoord, who regard him as one for the
near future.
Full Interview:
EP: What is the latest news regarding Sherif?
Ekramy: "The latest news is that I'm on
my last steps to recovering fully. I've been injured
for a while now. And I just can't wait to get back into
things with Feyenoord. I hope to return again to the
match squads and we are doing well."
EP: The fans are wondering, you said you would considering
leaving not so long ago?
Ekramy: "I can see it being hard for me
to leave. The club won't let me go and I have a contract
with them which I have to respect and be a professional
in. The fact that I'm not playing doesn't mean that
I'm not wanted.
"Am I not second goalie at the moment? Of course
I am, so I've got to do that as it's my job. If I get
the chance to play here, I'd be happy to play on. But
we'll see what happens next year, as I've been abroad
for two years and this my third year.
"I've benefited a lot from these years in Europe.
The first was a good stepping stone and the second was
a further step which I've benefited hugely from, and
I hope to remain at the club."
EP: You say Europe has been good for you, so is
there a big gap between it and the Egyptian League,
especially for goalkeepers?
Ekramy: "We're not going to trick each
other here. There is a massive difference in everything.
With all respect to the Egyptian League, it is so much
different here.
"I see that the players in Europe are not getting
their rights in terms of coverage and so on, which is
why EgyptianPlayers has the right intention. Here (in
the Netherlands), there is a weekly programme about
their players abroad. Unfortunately, in Egypt, the press
tends to concentrated on what sells.
"And it's upsetting when I see the Egyptian national
team bringing local players at the expense of those
abroad, even if they do not play at their clubs, such
as (Ahmed) Abou-Mosallem at Strasbourg. These players
bring with them professional training and professional
mentalities they have won abroad."
EP: What about you; are you expecting to get called
up to the African Cup of Nations?
Ekramy: "This coming one? I don't think
so. I'd play in the national team, inshallah, if I was
a first choice goalkeeper abroad, and at any club. No,
I'm not saying in Madagascar, but any club in Europe!"
EP: Essam El-Hadary is over thirty now...
Ekramy: "My respect goes to El-Hadary,
who has done what is required of him and much more.
My aim is that as soon as I'm number one at a club,
it shouldn't matter which goalkeeper. I'm not saying
that I must play then, I'm saying that I've reached
something no other Egyptian keeper has, and this is
from Allah's blessing, not because I'm super. And once
I am first keeper in Europe I would be disappointed
if I wasn't for Egypt."
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