Egyptian club Ismaily are standing resolutely behind their new Ghana international striker Emmanuel 'Mboma' Banahene after criticism by local fans that they have signed a player who previously played in 'enemy state' Israel.
Almost all Arab states and its populace are strongly opposed to any ties with Israel and the move to sign Banahene has raised eyebrows with nostalgics that Ismaili have broken their ranks to sign the Ghanaian who played for Israeli side Hapoel Pektah Tikvah.
The situation of Palestine and the way they are treated by the Israeli government causes real aggro for Arabs in Muslims across the globe which has led to many countries cutting ties with the Jewish state as they consider it as an enemy state.
The complaints over Banahene's move to Egypt comes even though he played in the leading Islamic state Saudi Arabia just before sealing his move to Ismaily.
Ismaily chairman Mohamed Abou El-Soud strongly stood by their decision to sign Banahene, who previously played for Israeli team Pektah Tikvah, when questioned: “Yes, he did play in Israel, however, his last team was based in Saudi Arabia.”
Abou El-Soud added: “We do not have a problem with the teams he played for as long as his skills are a good fit for the team.”
Banahene, who recently got an invitation to play in the Ghana national team before the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, signed a contract for two and a half years.
This means his contract with Ismaili will end in June 2017.
Banahene has been signed by Ismaily to replace their former top-scorer Antwi, who recently joined Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab in a move worth $2.2m.
The Ghanaian forward joins Isamaili from Saudi Arabian side Al-Orouba on a free transfer.
He opted to cancel his contract with the Saudi side because of the lack of playing time.