With a striking resemblance and an almost identical (sur) name, one would be forgiven to think that Liverpool’s goal poacher Mohamed Salah has switched allegiance from Egypt to Palestine.
It is because Salah (31) has a similar appearance to that of Palestine’s defender Mohamed Saleh (30).
They do differ in size and playing positions with Salah being a striker and Saleh a defender, right back to be precise -but at first glance one can easily be fooled.
With the Palestine National team’s arrival to the South African shores imminent, Thursday (8 February) to be exact, local football fans will get a first hand view of the other Saleh and what Palestinians are all about when they will be playing in the Football 4 Humanity initiative.
Palestine, fresh from the historic feat at the Asia Cup where they won their first international match as well as qualifying for the Round of 16 for the first time, will also be looking forward to taking on the best of the Western Cape in an exhibition match at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
This will be followed by a second match against a SA Invitational X1 a week later at the same venue. Bear in mind that this team has been (in camp) together for more than a month now even though their families and friends are being wiped out in the ongoing war with Israel.
So, it is a lot to deal with. There is no doubt that these players are tired and emotionally drained, but as they have shown for decades now, their yakeen (belief) for a greater cause is unwavering and very admirable to say the least.
Rest assured, fatigue won’t be a factor as they have battled the odds for decades. So, we can expect them to give their all in the 90 minutes against our local stars.
Brace yourselves for a historic occasion and hopefully, this won’t be a once-off visit to South Africa!
