Player Profile: Saleh Gomaa

Designed by @mmghanem_

Name: Saleh Gomaa
Date of Birth: August 1, 1993
Height: 1.75m (5 ft 7 in)
Nationality: Egyptian
Current Club: CD Nacional
Previous Club(s): ENPPI
Position: Central midfielder
Foot: Right

Click here for the latest on Saleh Gomaa.

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Saleh Gomaa, often touted as the ‘Egyptian Andres Iniesta’, was one of the youngest players in Bob Bradley’s Egypt national team and he also held the same title in Hany Ramzy’s squad when he represented Egypt at the 2012 London Olympics. In just a matter of one year, Gomaa has represented Egypt for the U-20, U-23, and the senior national team.

Gomaa appeared competitively for the first time in 2011 when he was promoted ENPPI’s first team. ENPPI are well known for their reputable youth academy, new gems shine year after year from this petroleum-owned club. Ramzy himself acted as their assistant manager from the period of 2005-2008 under German Rainer Zobel before taking charge of the first team.

On the 13^th of March 2011, Gomaa made his Egyptian Premier League debut against El-Gouna at the raw age of 17 years and 8 months old. Later that year, Saleh Gomaa was called up to Egypt’s U20 national team for the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup in Columbia. Despite only participating in a mere 46 minutes in 3 matches due to a slight injury he picked up before the tournament, Gomaa managed to win a penalty against Argentina – Egypt’s only goal in that game.

Gomaa continued to prove his caliber when he represented the national team in a 2011 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger – following EFA’s decision to field the U23 squad after Hassan Shehata’s resignation. Bob Bradley was in the stands and was expected to take control right after the game, so it was a good chance for the American to scout the young talents. Gomaa entered the pitch on the 69th minute, and marked his national team debut with an assist to Marwan Mohsen just 2 minutes later.

March 2012, the U-20, U-23 and senior national team head coaches were all fighting over who should take the promising central midfielder to their camp. Bob Bradley wanted Gomaa for the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier, Ramzy for preparations for the London 2012 Olympics, and U-20 head coach Rabie Yassien for a friendly tournament for North African nations.

Gomaa was a key player for the Egyptian team at the CAF U23 Championship in Morocco. His quickness, vision and precise strikes from distance cemented his spot in the starting eleven. Saleh played over 292 minutes in a total of 4 matches and scored the all important second goal against Senegal which sealed Egypt’s qualification to the London 2012 Olympics.

The midfield starlet was voted Player of the Tournament at the 2013 African Youth Championship in Algeria as the Egyptians went on to win the trophy, and has since been on one-week trials in Europe with Anderlecht and Borussia Dortmund. Gomaa has been a regular with the Egyptian national team under Bob Bradley, but has yet to feature in a competitive fixture.

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Pros:

– Pace and acceleration.

– Dribbling.

– Vision.

– Through passes.

– Ball Control.

– Accurate long shots.

Cons:

– Stamina.

– Work-rate.

– Defensive duties.

– Small stature.

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http://youtu.be/DUI1SI9v8Uc

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