A soccer fan reacts after Egyptian captain Wael Gomaa (on screen) scored an own goal during their 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Ghana, on the first day of Eid Al-Adha in Toukh, El-Kalubia governorate, about 25 km (16 miles) northeast of Cairo (Photo: Reuters)
Egypt’s veteran defender Wael Gomaa admitted it would be difficult for him to continue his international career after the Pharaohs were hammered 6-1 by Ghana in Kumasi in the first leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff.
The 38-year-old has been one of Egypt’s most consistent performers since making his debut in a friendly game against South Korea in 2001.
Gomaa, who earned 114 international caps, played a pivotal role in helping the Pharaohs win three successive African Cup of Nations titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
However, he could not realize a long-held dream of playing at the World Cup and his last chance to make an appearance at the football’s most prestigious tournament was dealt a severe blow after Egypt suffered a humiliating defeat by Ghana on Tuesday.
“It will be difficult [to continue international career],” the evergreen Ahly defender told Ahram Online.
“I was playing to fulfill the hope of playing at the World Cup. I achieved all my aims except that, so there is little to play for now,” he added, but declined to confirm that he actually has plans to retire from international football.
Egypt skipper Gomaa, who was lauded for keeping at bay the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba as Egypt swept Africa with an unprecedented string of Nations Cup triumphs, scored an own goal to gift Ghana a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.
The central defender’s Ahly teammate Mohamed Abou-Treika announced on Thursday that he would hang up his boots at the end of the year.
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