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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 January 2000 Issue No. 464 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 January 2000 Issue No. 464
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Heritage Special Books Profile Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Aswan was the site of more than just recent tune-ups by the Egyptian football team as the defending champions prepare for the African Nations Cup. Two friendly matches were played in the Upper Egypt city, but the mood inside the Egyptian camp was anything but congenial. Anwar Salama, assistant coach to Gerard Gili, abruptly resigned, claiming the Frenchman had deliberately sidelined him from team strategy and planning and depended instead on his compatriot assistant Albert Remon. The battle for clout
By Inas MazharAt the height of the dispute, Gili took the unusual decision of allowing Salama to lead one practice session while the Frenchman sat on the bench in observer status. "But this can't always happen," Gili later said. "There should be only one person in charge. Instructions to the players should come from only one direction, not two." In taking the temperature of the players, it seemed they were not all that pleased with Salama.
In an attempt to end the row -- which threatened team stability, coming as it does so close to the championship -- Egyptian Football Federation (EFA) President Dahshoury Harb donned his mediation cap and flew immediately to Aswan, but failed to either put an end to the squabble or reach a compromise between the parties. Harb thus had no choice but to bluntly put before Salama two choices: either accept working under the supervision of Gili or leave, because as Harb told the press, EFA will not allow the departure of Gili -- whose $35,000 a month salary has been making headlines. Apparently without the slightest hesitation, Salama accepted the latter offer and took the first flight back to Cairo.
Salama said he had no choice but to leave because he could no longer tolerate being No 3. He recounted how he was the top man in August, was relegated to the No 2 slot when Gili was hired, then saw his star drop even further with the surprise advent of Remon. "I was guaranteed by EFA officials that I was still the second man, and that Remon's role would be limited to physical fitness," Salama said. But he added that soon thereafter, Gili began to ignore him. "I had to resign to save face and for the sake of team unity," Salama said.
"The team comes first," Harb told the Al-Ahram Weekly after Salama's departure. "We are about to enter the most important event on the continent and we are the defending champions. We have to work hard. We can't afford such arguments and disputes at this time. This will be of no good to the team which will be the ultimate loser," he added. The championship -- to be hosted jointly by Nigeria and Ghana -- opens 22 January.
Harb denied that he had kicked Salama out or had forced him to resign. "I gave him the picture and asked him to choose, and he chose the best for the team." Before accepting his resignation, Harb contacted all EFA board members, who, he said, fully supported Salama's resignation.
On the field, Egypt's performance overshadowed the sideline theatrics as it beat Togo and Gabon in Aswan. Using its 13 European-based players, Egypt edged Togo 2-1, then two days later, blasted Gabon 4-0. Egypt's goals were scored by forwards, defenders, veterans and newcomers to the team, all being used by Gili to find the squad with the best chemistry. The games also afforded an opportunity for Gili to apply the 3-4-3 style of play which he would like to employ in the African cup. The format is a departure from the usual defensive style that the team and almost all Egypt clubs are accustomed to. Abdel-Sattar Sabri, busy putting pen to a reported $2.4 million contract with Benfica of Portugal, missed not only the friendlies, but may also be left off the team roster for the championship.
In its third friendly in Abidjan, Ivory Coast used team speed and fancy footwork to beat Egypt 2-0 last Sunday. The victory boosts the hopes of the Elephants -- one of Africa's most talented but underachieving teams -- going into the Cup. The Pharaohs seemed uninspired and displayed little of the defensive skill and attacking flair that took the team to the continental podium in February 1998.
Charles Dago opened the scoring just minutes into the game, tucking the ball neatly past goalkeeper Nader El-Sayed after a lone rush past several lacklustre defenders. Dago was unable to finish several other chances on goal in the first half that were either shot wide or stopped by Egypt's defenders. Ivory Coast's goalkeeper Jean Jacques Tizie produced two key saves, but his skills were otherwise left untested. The second half was marked by numerous scoring opportunities by Ivory Coast teammates Dago, Bonaventure Kalou and Ahmed Modibo. Kalou finally sealed the win by tapping the ball past El-Sayed in injury time off a pass from a corner kick. Sunday's game was a rematch of the 1998 African Cup semi-finals in Burkina Faso when Egypt edged Ivory Coast 5-4 in an extra time penalty shootout following a draw.
Following the drama in Aswan, the national team came out of the experience with improved results, no serious injuries to report and just one morally injured coach whose clipped wings mean he won't be flying to Nigeria.
