ON THIS DAY: Miss of the century!

الإثنين، 15 أبريل 2013 - 13:00

كتب : Omar AbdelAziz

On April 15 1993, Egypt’s hopes of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup were devastated by a goalless draw against Zimbabwe in France.

But it wasn’t just the result that caused the frustration, it was rather a moment of misfortune featuring midfielder Magdi Tolba that left the majority of Egyptian fans moaning until this very day.

Tolba, who was one of the early Egyptians to play in Europe, is hardly remembered in his homeland for anything other than this ill-fated evening in Lyon.

“I am the most disappointed person that we haven’t qualified for the World Cup since 1990, because if we had, people would have forgotten this chance!” Tolba said about his infamous miss.

“But I think we have a problem in Egypt that people like to slur each other and usually remember the bad things.

“It doesn't make sense that after 20 years of playing football inside and outside Egypt, people only remember me for this. After 20 years, they are still talking about ‘this ball’.”

Match commentator Hamada Emam said: “Impossible, impossible, impossible. Is this a goal to miss?!

“Ooooh Magdi Tolba. You could have played it with your foot Magdi!”