AFCON 2021: Meet the AFCON penalty hero- Mohamed Abou Gabal
Egypt second goalkeeper, Mohamed Abou Gabal aka Gabaski was the hero yesterday as Cameroon failed to beat the Egypt star in the penalty shootout after playing 0-0 in the extra time.
He saved two penalties from Harold Moukoudi and James Siliki. Clinton Nije send Gabal to the opposite direction, but missed the target. Egypt won the penalty shootout 3-1 to progress to the final, and the 33-year old hit the headlines for his heroic performance.
This is not the first time the Zamelek Goalkeeper will help his team go through on penalties in this tournament.
He saved Eric Baily’s spot kick to defeat Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties, and send Egypt to the quarterfinals when he came in as a substitute for injured, El Shenawy.
They defeated Morocco in the quarterfinals, 2-1 after extra extra time.
Gabaski was unable to save Boufal’s spot kick, which gave Morocco the lead before Salah leveled the score, and Trezeguet score the winner in the 100th minute.
Moreover, the former Smouha have only conceded one goal after three games. He was not the player in goal against Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Sudan.
He came in as a substitute in the round of 16 game against Ivory Coast for the injured El Shenawy.
Overall, Mohamed Ahmed Gabal is the AFCON penalty hero.
Senegal will put the video of his penalty saves on repeat to know how to beat the penalty specialist if the final game of the tournament between the Pharaohs and the Teranga Lions require penalty to decide the winner.
Mohamed Abou Gabal profile
Mohamed Aboul Gabal aka Gabaski is an Egyptian professional player who plays for Zamalek football club, Egypt as a goalkeeper.
He was born in 1989 in syut, Egypt. He has not played outside the Egypt Premier League since the start of his career.
He had his youth career in ENPPI from 2007-2010.
He started his senior career at the same club club from 2010 to 2013 with 34 appearances before moving to Zamalek in 2013-2016 with 11 appearances.
He had most appearances of his career in Smouha with 85 appearances from 2016-2019. He returned to Zamalek in 2019, and so far has 42 appearances for the Egyptian outfit.
