Abo Gabal: The Uphill Climb of Egypt’s New Favorite Goalkeeper
Another shining star in the sports world that we need to talk about, is a professional on the field and a beloved star for the millions of football fans. The goalkeeper whose name literally resembles how he plays. A mountain in front of the net. Egypt’s new favorite goalkeeper, the man of the match, Abo Gabal.
The Keeper
Mohamed Qotb Abou Gabal Ali was born on Jan. 29, 1989, in Asyut, Egypt. Also, known as Gabaski or Abo Gabal for short.
The 33 years old footballer is a goalkeeper for Egyptian Premier League club Zamalek and the Egypt national team.
He played for Enppi Sports Club from 2008, then Zamalek Club in 2013, then Smouha Club in 2016, and back again to Zamalek Club from 2019 till the present time where he shined and helped his team win Egypt Super Cup, Africa Super Cup, and Egypt’s Cup.
His career is full of wins and impressive football blocks, no wonder he has been given the award Man of the Match, that’s how good he is.
The Goal
Probably the main thing that put Abo Gabal in the limelight, was when he got assigned as the goalkeeper for the Egypt National team in substitute of Mohamed El-Shenawy. He saved Eric Bailly’s penalty and helped Egypt advance.
In the quarterfinal, Gabaski started the match against Morocco before being substituted due to injury. He returned to the line-up in the semi-final against Cameroon, in which Abo Gabal saved two penalties in the ensuing shootout. He then started in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Final, where he produced a number of impressive saves and saved Sadio Mané’s penalty.
His eagle eye performance in the field and cutthroat playing attitude made him a star in the eyes of not just Egyptian football fans but the entirety of Egypt.
Back of the Net? Never!
No one has to look far on the internet to see videos of Abo Gabal’s unique style, determent goalkeeping. But all the professionalism and accomplishments aside, Abo Gabal is not showing any signs of falling behind. Even though Egypt lost the African Cup his performance and looks turned him into an online sensation. With girls swooning over him and guys just wanting to be him, Abo Gabal is apparently, and rightfully so, never getting to the back of the net in real life just like the balls he saves from ever getting to the back of his net on the field.
