But it’s not the only thing. And with Islam’s holy month coinciding with preparations for the World Cup, being true to both faith and fans hasn’t been easy for Gaber who, like all the players on the Egyptian team, is a devout Muslim.
Fasting during the holy month is one of the five pillars of Islam and a form of submission to a higher authority. But abstaining from food and water can also make training sessions especially difficult, leaving players both weakened and dehydrated.