When Hosny Abd Rabo arrived in Dubai to play for Al Ahli, he was the fans' darling. The Player of the Tournament at the 2008 African Cup of Nations, the Egyptian international was a much sought-after player, with clubs all over Europe - including Newcastle, Blackburn, Atletico Madrid and Paris St Germain - taking a keen interest.
The Egyptian club Al Ahly wanted the midfielder to "come home", while the Saudi Arabia club Al Nasr and the Spanish club Osasuna also had "the Caesar" on their wanted list. Hosny, however, opted for Dubai, disappointing his fans at home in Egypt so much that he received death threats. He arrived at Ahli after a prolonged battle between El Ismaily and Strasbourg over his ownership. That was in July. Today, however, the Egyptian, who was 24 on Saturday, is being barracked by his own fans. His commitment to the "Red Knights" is being questioned and there are allegations that Hosny is not playing to his full potential because he is afraid of getting injured. Talk of a recent offer from the English Premier League club Blackburn has only fuelled the mistrust.
Although he is upset with the jeering from the stands, Hosny claims his loyalty to Ahli is beyond doubt. "I guess the taunts from fans is something that every football player has to live with," he said. "But yes, I did get a little angry after the game against Al Jazira. I thought I played well, but the fans were still going for me. "I am trying my best and I take great pride in wearing the Al Ahli shirt. But I am still new and getting used to the football here. The performances will come in time, but I need support from everyone, the fans included."
The midfielder also dismissed suggestions that he is worried about getting injured while playing for Ahli, which might ruin his chances of glory with the Egyptian national team. "I am not a coward," he said. "A player can get injured in an exhibition game, or even in training. I believe that if you fear injuries and try to avoid them, you fall prey. "So I am not thinking about them when I get on the pitch. I try to play with my full might, but that does not mean you have to get killed on the field. On the field you have to show intelligence and physical strength - you cannot just run behind the ball."
There have also been suggestions that Hosny is not getting on with his teammates and that he often belittles them on the pitch. "That is not true at all," argued Hosny. "If I say anything on the pitch, it is just tactical. "I also listen to the players when they offer me any advice. "We are one big family at Al Ahli and every player tries to give the last drop of his energy on the pitch. There are no egos at Al Ahli, we have great respect for each other."
Hosny dismissed talks of offers from clubs in Europe, saying it is just "agent talk". "At the moment, I am fully focused on Al Ahli and helping the club win championships. After the season I will listen to offers." arizvi@thenational.ae