Half-time:
Let coaches coach
By
Inas Mazhar
After being away for almost two months because of suspension, the football twins, Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan, are back in training. And they return without Zamalek club officials ever once complaining about their punishment.
Brazilian head coach Capral suspended the twins following Zamalek's friendly against Italian club Lazio for what he perceived to be dissent.
Fans raged, forcing Zamalek to cancel one training session and barring spectators from attending others. Supporters said it was a shame that two such stars whom, at age 37 are seeing their last playing days, were being denied the right to play for reasons not wholly understood.
Some tried to end the dispute while others found it an opportunity to get rid of the twins, whom they claim wield too much influence on the club, and did their best to widen the gap between the two sides.
The club's board of directors tried to persuade Capral to bring the twins back, not only because of their importance but no doubt because of the millions spent on them when they were lured away from rivals Ahli. But there was no outright interference by any club official.
Capral did not budge, insisting he was doing fine without the brothers, especially Hossam, at one time the world's most capped player, and had the numbers to prove it. He points to 18 games in which the brothers played, saying 11 were won, five were drawn and two were lost. Without the twins, he said, Zamalek won 12, drew one, against league leaders Ahli, and lost just once.
Capral won my respect when he said he was responsible for the team but was not its owner. He described himself as a professional who was trying to run the team with that concept in mind and without any interference. And his way has won out.
I respected him even more after the return of the twins was announced. When they attended training, Capral insisted on being there to shake hands with them, saying that the dispute was purely personal. However, he refused to make up at a dinner as requested by club officials, explaining he did not want the other players to feel different or that he was singling out the twins for special treatment.
But what really impressed me was the fact that no club member stood up to Capral or defended the twins. For the second time in their 17-year career, Egypt's most indulged duo realise they are not above the rest. And for perhaps the first time, a club in Egypt has learned that all must respect the decisions of their coaches, whatever they may be.
