Bidvest Wits CEO, Jose Ferreira, coach Gavin Hunt and former Al Ahly player Amr Gamal during the Bidvest Wits press conference. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
The 26 year-old Gamal, unveiled as a Wits player on Tuesday, has signed on a season-long loan deal from Cairo giants Al Ahly, with an option to buy at the end of the campaign.
He is set to become the first Egyptian ever to play in the Premier Soccer League, but is not available for Wednesday evening’s league game at Free State Stars, as Wits still have to get him a work permit and obtain international clearance from the South African Football Association.
READ: Wits sign Egyptian striker
“We had our eye on him from March, when we played Al Ahly in the Champions League,” said Ferreira on Tuesday.
“The coach (Gavin Hunt) identified him as a potential player for us, and we started working in earnest as soon as the season ended. I want to tell you he is probably the most difficult player I have ever had to negotiate for.
“I am not talking about Gamal here. It took two months of solid work every day to get the player. It was not so much the financial aspect, the most difficult part of getting Gamal was the reluctance of Al Ahly to let him come, particularly their coach (Hossam El-Badry).
“Al Ahly are a top club, the biggest in the African continent and the only reason he is here today is because of Amr Gamal. He worked very hard in trying to convince his club to allow him to come to South Africa. His coach didn’t want him to come. It didn’t help when in July he scored two goals in the Champions League for Al Ahly (against Coton Sport) and then last week in the Egyptian cup final he came on as a substitute in extra time and scored the equaliser and gave the assist for the winner (Al Ahly beat Al Masry 2-1)!”
“I don’t know how well he (Gamal) will adjust to South African football, but I know it will not be for a lack of determination after the amount of work he put in trying to get here.”
Gamal added: “I am happy to be here in South Africa. I am looking forward to making something good for me and for Egyptians. This is a new door for Egyptians. The league here is very strong, they are playing modern football and it will help me develop more.”
READ: Wits in talks to sign Al Ahly striker Gamal
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