PETALING JAYA: Egyptian football fans celebrated the emergence of a teenage striker Hamza Abdelkarim who displaced a regular for this year’s World Cup but surprisingly, his rise began on the training pitches of Kuala Lumpur.
The 18-year-old Abdelkarim made headlines after unseating Mustafa Mohamed, a key figure in the nation’s World Cup qualifying campaign, to force his way into the national setup.
The FC Barcelona forward, who is on-loan from Egyptian club Al-Ahly, was once a product of the Little League Soccer programme in KL, where his remarkable journey in football first took shape.
Standing 1.82m tall, Abdelkarim has already earned the nickname “The Egyptian Haaland”, a nod to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, for his imposing frame, electrifying pace, powerful left foot, and an instinctive hunger for goals that belies his teenage years.
Chris Nathan, who coached Abdelkarim during his time in Malaysia from 2016 to 2020, and now serves as the programme’s academy director, said he showed signs from early years.
“There were definite signs he had the potential to go far, but talent alone is never enough,” said Chris.
“While it’s always difficult to predict whether a young player will become a professional, he consistently displayed qualities that gave him a strong chance of succeeding at a high-level.
“What impressed us most was not just his technical ability, but his willingness to learn, his competitiveness, and his desire to give 100 per cent at every session. Even as a youngster, he showed maturity beyond his years and never backed down against tougher opposition.”
For Chris, watching his former student reach the world stage has been a deeply personal and emotional experience.
“To see Hamza reach this level is a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and commitment over many years. It also serves as inspiration for every young player currently in our programme, proof that big dreams are achievable with discipline and dedication.”
The academy director described the achievement as one of the proudest moments in the programme’s history.
“To watch a player who once trained with us go on to represent his country at a World Cup is both rewarding and emotional.
“It validates the hard work put in by the player, his family, and everyone who contributed along the way.
“Hamza’s journey is a reminder that no dream is too big if you are willing to work relentlessly for it. We are immensely proud of him and grateful to have played a small part in his story.”
