Ghanaian duo reluctant on Egypt return

Published on: 14 February 2011

Two Ghanaians are refusing to return to their Egyptian club because of security concerns in the North African nation.

Petrojet players Cofie and Eric Bekoe fled Egypt a week after anti-government protests began as they grew concerned over the escalating violence.

Despite being called back by coach Helmi Toulan five days ago, the Ghanaians are refusing to travel.

"My family won't allow me to go back as they feel it's unsafe - they don't want to lose a child," Cofie told BBC Sport.

"At the moment, I honestly don't feel like going back unless the situation changes.

"I don't want to go through what I went through again - it was a bit scary."

Two days after the widespread protests began, Egypt's FA (EFA) postponed the local league.

On Monday, the EFA told the BBC's African sports programme Fast Track that it hopes to receive permission from security forces to restart the league in early March

Cofie, 22, has called his experience a 'life and death situation', whereby he grew increasingly worried about the events that ultimately prompted the downfall of President Hosni Mubarak.

As some of the demonstrations turned violent, with over 300 believed to have died across the country, the Bekoes (who are unrelated) made a dash for home.

"We had heard from no one at Petrojet - neither the coach nor any official, just from a fellow player who was at home protecting his family," said Cofie, who won a Ghana cap last year.

"We were on our way to the airport and weren't too far from our house when we heard people firing gunshots."

"There were many people on the road and it was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.

"We went to the airport and slept there for two days - it was better to stay there because it wasn't safe at home.

"Public announcements were telling you not to go out nor open your front door if people knocked when you were at home.

"Luckily, we got a flight out but many expatriate players didn't."

Cofie, whose contract has another two years to run, is nervous about leaving the Ghanaian capital Accra to return to Petrojet even though he believes it would boost his career.

"I would prefer that things go back to normal because Egypt have one of the best teams in the world and the talent there is good," he added.

"It's good for the youngsters like us who are determined to get to the highest level but I just don't know how I am going to feel when I am back in the country.

"And I don't know whether the [security situation] will be good enough for me to play as I normally do."

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