Egyptian Football News
EXCLUSIVE: Mokhtar eyes promotion as Egypt U-20 striker completes Portugal move
Ahmed Mokhtar discusses his move to Oliveirense and his hopes for success in Portugal with KingFut.com.
Egypt U-20 striker Ahmed ‘Mocha’ Mokhtar completed his move to Portuguese side AD Oliveirense on a free transfer from ENPPI on Wednesday.
Mocha, who was ruled out of Egypt’s squad for the 2013 African Youth Championship and the U-20 World Cup due to injury, signed 1-year contract with Oliveirense, less than a month after his brother Amr moved to Portugal with Gil Vincente.
KingFut.com sits down with the promising Egyptian centre forward to discuss the Portugal switch…
So Ahmed, what convinced you to sign for Oliveirense, a lower division club in Portugal?
I signed because it’s a good club with good conditions and tradition. I met with the president and the coach who made me feel it’s the right place. I wanted to come here to get the chance to prove myself in Europe, and consider it as a stepping point in my career.
Will having other Egyptians playing in Portugal help you adapt easier?
It will definitely help the adaptation aspect. Ahmed Hassan “Koka” for example is one of my best friends in football. We played together upfront for the Egypt 1993 team for 5 years. Amr Mokhtar is my younger brother and Adham [Torky] is his best friend since they were 5 playing together for Nady El Seid (Shooting Club) which was my boyhood club.
Everyone is always full of praise for Ali Ghazal, another Egyptian. Mostafa Hassan, who just signed for Gondomar, is also a very good friend. I hope that I can join them in making a good reputation for the Egyptian players and football in general. I believe they are doing a very good job so far.
Speaking of the Egypt U-20 team, have they been in contact with you over the past period?
The staff of the national team has always been in contact with me. I was never out of the team. In reality we didn’t really know the extent of my injury and I stayed with the team until they travelled hoping that I could recover and join them. Unfortunately I couldn’t.
What are your season targets and what are your long term goals?
My target this season is to help my team win promotion, score as many goals as I can in the process, become a successful player for a big team in Europe, and become an influential player for my country through the next decade.
It was a pleasure and an honor, KingFut.com wishes you all the best in your endeavors.
