Friday, Oct 05, 2012
Dubai: The Egyptian psyche, post-revolution, is battling what it’s been, where it’s going and where it is now.
Personifying these internal struggles is a UAE-based footballer in much the same predicament.
Mahmoud Abdul Razzaq Fadlallah, or Shikabala as he’s better known is, at 26, just above the country’s average age, a luminary for rebellious youth.
The epitome of flawed genius, the attacking midfielder stood up to his coach, Hassan Shehata, mid-game, over a decision to substitute him at Cairo club Zamalek last season. As such, he lost his place in a squad built entirely around him.
In a script befitting of an Egyptian soap opera, Shikabala then found himself out on loan at Dubai’s Al Wasl, while Shehata, 63, every bit a household name as his player, resigned.
The battle of old versus new resulted in the club imploding, leaving no winners. But appealing to the rebel and authoritarian in all Egyptians, the two remain cult icons in a country still recovering from its own internal fallout.
A rumoured target for Italian club Napoli, Shikabala’s fiery side has invited comparisons with another No 10 with self-destructive tendencies, Mario Balotelli.
But like his dead-linked Wikipedia.org entry calling him the “best playmaker alive”, much of Shikabala’s legend is exaggerated, with emotion and pride blinding fact.
He’s scored only once in 19 games for Egypt, has won only one league title with Zamalek, and has arguably had only one good season, when he finished joint top-scorer with a modest 13 goals in 2010/11. He’s also only played abroad once, not including his time in the UAE, during two seasons at PAOK in the Greek league.
His start for Al Wasl has been impressive this season, though, with one goal in three appearances and two assists. But what’s abundantly clear is his return to potential, real or imagined, must start to be fulfilled soon, or he could end up being yet another over-hyped wannabe.
Zamalek fans are turning up to Al Wasl games in droves in the hope that this can happen. One such hopeful, Motaz Al Sefary, explained the irresistible appeal of the Egyptian enigma. He said: “For the last two years, Shikabala’s been the most talented player in the Egyptian league.
“He lifted the team through a period of five years where the club suffered with no funding and lost ground to their arch rivals Al Ahly.
“He remains a fan’s favourite. But, of course, when you become talented, you kind of get big-headed.”
Ahmad Magey, leader of the Zamalek supporters’ group in Dubai, added: “You can’t find this kind of player anywhere in the world. He gives you football that raises your mood and we hope from the support of people here he can provide magic for everyone.”
Even Al Wasl coach Bruno Metsu, who has a penchant for what he calls “characters”, knows he’s acquired a real livewire.
“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about Shikabala because of his great fanbase with the Egyptian population here,” Metsu joked.
“He’s a very strong and skilled player technically. We’ve maybe heard some of the rumours about his character, but on the contrary I feel he’s a great person as a personality and a player. He has a strong character, no doubt, but that shouldn’t go against him.”
With the slate wiped clean, it’s now down to Shikabala to determine his own destiny, a prospect that many await with apprehension and great interest.
By Ashley Hammond Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
