Al Ahly returns to heroic welcome
CAIRO: School and work commitments took a backseat as Al Ahly supporters of all ages flocked to the VIP hall of Cairo International Airport to meet their heroes upon their return from the World Club Championship in Japan.
No less than 2,000 people were at the airport from the early morning to get a glimpse of their heroes.
And a glimpse is exactly all they got.
After hours of waiting, the open top bus emerged from the gates of the VIP hall and drove past the hysterical supporters while the players waved to the crowd. It was over in about 30 seconds before the bus sped off.
That didn’t stop the Ahly fans from strutting their stuff. Celebrations were the order of the day as supporters sang, danced and chanted. Flags were waved and faces were painted, there was even time for some fireworks and foam.
“Al Ahly da hetta menni / khodo aini shofu beeha (Al Ahly are part of me / Take my eyes and see), they sang in unison.
And all the time there was one name on their lips: Aboutrika.
Mohammed Aboutrika, the maverick playmaker was Ahly’s star player in the tournament, scoring three goals including the two that clinched third place for his team.
Supporters were momentarily distracted from their revelry by the appearance of infamous Egyptian singer/seductress Poussy Samir who was engulfed by the cheering crowd as she walked through.
Al Ahly came third in the competition after losing to Internacional in the semi-finals which then went on to defeat Spanish giants Barcelona to win the competition
