Zaki Shares Thoughts in Russia

Zaki Shares Thoughts in Russia

Date: 4-4-2006
Wrote: EP's reporter Ibrahim Azab

Russian newspaper Sport Express made an interview with Amr Zaki. EgyptianPlayers.com presents a translation of the interview, in which the striker talks about the ACN, his move abroad, and also reveals that Hassan Shehata was disappointed with his choice to go to Russia.

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EgyptianPlayers.com Translation:

There's one newcomer at Lokomotiv who has the strongest titles in the whole team. No one from the club can say about himself: "I'm the champion of my continent."

It wasn't easy to talk with Zaki. He understands French a little, but speaks neither it nor English. Loko's Tunisian player Zuagi, who speaks Arabic, French and English helped out.

"I won't hide that I'd like to go to a stronger club in Western Europe," Zaki confessed frankly. "But to do this I must reach something in Russia. I'll do my best at Lokomotiv."

- Where would you like to go after Russia?
"To England. I had some contacts with English clubs during and after the African Nations Cup. Newcastle for example."

- Did anything go wrong?
"Newcastle suggested a contract from the new season. I didn't want to wait. I've chosen the option of Lokomotiv and signed a 3+2 year contract."

- Did you ask the main coach of the Egyptian national team Hassan Shehata for advice?
"Yes. And he didn't like that I went to Russia and not to England."

- It's easy to guess that Shehata played a special role in your career. Didn't he?
"The fact that he invited me to the national team - and the team was fighting for the African title at home - already makes me respect him very much."

- And you equalled his hopes - more than that.
"There's no doubt - that goal (against Senegal) has become the most unforgettable moment in the whole of my career."

- You scored in the final match also but the Tunisian, sorry, Zuagi, referee cancelled the goal. What do you think about that?
"I was happy. I ran to the fans to share my joy with them. And then the referee's decision reached me: you weren't offside but your partner was. I admit the referee didn't make a mistake."

- After the match you also had to take a penalty kick which a lot depended on. Was it hard for you?
"Very hard. I asked Allah to help me. I was the 4th in my team to kick and the score was 2-1, so that penalty was very important. And Allah helped me - I did everything well. And then Abotrica put an end to the match. That's how we won."

- Do you often kick penalties in Egypt?
"I'm the second in penalties after our captain Ahmed Hassan in the national team, and in my Cairo club ENPPI I also did it regularly."

- Do you know Russian coach Victor Bondarenko who has worked in Ismailia for some time?
"No, I don't. I heard there's a Russian coach at that club but he didn't work there for a long time so we didn't meet each other."

- Your present team-mate Draman Traore also played for Ismailia some time ago...
"I know. I talked with him about it."

- Moscow is very big, Cairo is too. So city dimensions are not the thing that can impress you. Right?
"I didn't even think about the size. Moscow is so much different. I felt more comfortable at home. Here's another country, another climate. But a professional must adapt to new conditions."

EgyptianPlayers.com will keep you updated on Amr's Russian mission...

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