Egypt's AFCON Star Reveals How He Became A Goalkeeper After Watching His Brothers Play

• AFCON revelation Abou Gabal Ali has revealed how he ended up becoming a goalkeeper after years of watching his brothers play
• Abou Gabal Ali popularly known as Gabaski for his heroics at the Africa Cup of Nations had never dreamt of becoming a goalkeeper
• He is now famous for his superb display at AFCON and his water bottle antics during the penalty shootouts

Egypt goalkeeper, Mohamed Qotb Abou Gabal Ali, never dreamt of becoming a goalkeeper until one day his brothers called on him to keep the post while playing on the streets.

The 33-year-old would normally watch his brother, who are as many as ten play, but one day he had to play the role of the goalkeeper.

In an interview with Egypt's CBC TV channel, the AFCON star, talked through the journey of how it all started and how he ended up between the sticks.

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In his conversation on CBC, he also disclosed how he left the Northern part of Egypt to join ENPPI, where he had to sell his watch just to board a bus to train.

Abou Gabal headed to the Africa Cup of Nations as Egypt's number two, but an injury to Mohammed El Shenawy saw him replace the AL Ahly goalkeeper. Gabaski, as he is affectionately called became the hero of the seven times African champions in the penalty shootout against Ivory Coast.

He started the game against Morocco as they defeated their North African rivals 2-1 to progress to the semi finals.

He was the hero once again as he saved three penalties as Egypt beat host Cameroon to progress to the finals. Gabaski could have been honoured in Egypt had they won the Africa Cup after saving a Sadio Mane penalty in the early minutes of the match against Senegal.

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How Gabaski's water bottle contain penalty information

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal seems to have forgotten that his water bottle contained penalty information of all Senegal players as he left it on the pitch, Cover Ghana reports.

Gabaski who had a great tournament in Cameroon was handed the Man of the Match award for the final AFCON match involving Egypt and Senegal.

He had a fine performance against the hosts in the semi-final putting up brilliant saves during the penalty shootout to defeat Indomitable Lions.