Player Profile: Gedo

Mohamed Nagy ‘Gedo’, the prolific Egyptian striker well known for carrying Egypt to win its 7th Africa Cup of Nations title in 2010. Gedo, who was relatively unknown prior to the tournament, scored off the bench in each one of their five matches – including the winner in the final against Ghana – making him the tournament’s top scorer and a national sensation.

Gedo’s professional career started with 2nd-tier home side Alaab Damanhour  in 2002. He stayed there until the end of the 2004/2005 season, when he was finally caught the eyes of scouts from the country’s Premier League and was subsequently signed by Al-Ittihad of Alexandria. He stayed within the ranks of the coastal club until his breakout 2009/2010 season where he scored 16 goals for the club in all competitions. It wasn’t long before he was called-up to the Egyptian national team by former coach Hassan Shehata to join the team’s pursuit of their third consecutive continental title in 2010.

After playing a total of 173 minutes in Angola, in which he scored five goals earning him both the golden boot and the discovery player of the tournament award, he was bound to attract the prying eyes of the top two teams in Egypt: Al-Ahly and Zamalek. After a tug-of-war between the Cairo giants over his signature, which caused an eruption in the Egyptian media, Al-Ahly controversially signed Egypt’s AFCON hero.

Gedo went on to establish himself as a massive asset for both club and country while quickly rebuffing the idea that he was simply a “fluke” or a mere “super sub”. The Egypt forward was an essential member in the Ahly squad that won the 2012 CAF Champions League – despite the cancellation of the 2011/2012 Egyptian League season due to the tragic events of Port Said. Gedo’s stellar performances during the tournament, together with scoring five crucial goals in Ahly’s road to continental glory – including one against Tunisia’s Esperance in the 2nd leg of the final - made him Ahly’s second top goal scorer in the competition, just one behind Mohamed Abou-Treika. It’s no doubt he’s become of undeniable importance to the Ahly squad.

Gedo’s playing style is that of a poacher. His smart runs behind the back of the defence and his movement both inside and outside of the box are both key factors in his prolific goal scoring record. His best position is just off the centre forward; while his movement usually drags defenders out of positions, creating space in the box. Gedo’s ability to stretch out play also makes him effective out wide, on either flank. He has since established himself as a regular up front in Bob Bradley’s Egypt squad, who are currently on top of Group G in World Cup qualifying as the national aim to reach the grand stage for the first time in 24 years.

Pros:
• Positioning
• Excellent header
• Defensive duties
• Work rate

Cons:
• Dribbling skills
• Ball control
• Vision

Highlights with club and country:

First 6 appearances with Egypt – 6 goals:

Individual highlights vs England: