CAIRO: Essam El-Hadari said that feels no pressure as he gears up for his first FC Sion appearance, following his controversial move to the Swiss club.
The former Al Ahly goal-keeper is looking to use his experience in the Egyptian League as an asset against pressure when Sion visit Neuchatel Xamax at Maladiere, which takes no more than 12,000 spectators.
“When you have played where I played, you’re shielded. In Cairo the derby against Zamalek has 120,000 spectators, all passionate, he told Le Matin.
“There is madness in the stadium and throughout the city. So pressure will not be an excuse.
After a series of off-the-field unrest with his former club, the 35-year-old Hadari is now ready to start a new chapter of his career.
“Sion is now my only concern, with the national team, he said.
“A page has turned, a new chapter will begin.
Hadari revealed that he will be learning French soon, in order to overcome the language barrier he faces in Switzerland.
“This problem of the language prevents even David [Gonzalez] to be able to take full advantage of my experience, he added.
“But everything will be settled soon, since I am in the process of learning French.
