MUSCAT: Oman’s legendary footballer Ali Al Habsi has extended his support to senior national team player Ahmed Mubarak ‘Kano’ who was omitted from the team.
Coach Branko Ivankovic did not include Kano who is also the captain of the team from the friendly camp currently underway in Dubai. Last week, Ivankovic said Kano was excluded from the team as he did not play any games in the last five months. Reacting to this, Kano who is arguably the most capped active player in the world denied the reason of his exclusion as baseless on his social media account.
Speaking in a radio interview, Ali Al Habsi said the whole incident should have been dealt properly as Kano has contributed immensely to Oman football. “Kano is a great player and we all know his contributions to Oman football. He deserves to be treated fairly. It is very unclear from the statements of the coach as to why Kano was excluded from the team. The whole incident about (Kano) should have been treated in the most elegant manner,” Al Habsi said in an interview with Hala FM.
“I do not like to delve into such matters concerning our national team players but Kano deserves much respect,” Al Habsi added.
Kano was ranked second in the all-time appearances for the national team by FIFA, the world football governing body, in its latest list last year. Playing for Oman for the last 16 years, Kano made his debut on September 25, 2003 against Nepal. He currently plays for for Qatar’s second division club Al Markhiya.
